Zelensky Drone Strike: Close Call En Route to Norway

Norway's Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre has revealed alarming details about a close call involving Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's aircraft earlier this week. In an interview with Norwegian public broadcaster NRK, Støre disclosed that Zelensky's plane came dangerously close to being struck by a drone.

The incident occurred as Zelensky was preparing to fly from Moldova to Oslo, Norway's capital, where he was scheduled to attend the state funeral of Norway's late King Harald V on Wednesday. The ceremony drew world leaders from across the globe to pay their respects to the monarch.

According to Støre, when the two leaders met in person, he inquired about Zelensky's journey. The Ukrainian president then shared the frightening experience he had just endured. "His plane was almost hit by a drone just before takeoff from Moldova," Støre told reporters. "This is the reality he faces on a daily basis."

Significant uncertainty surrounds the incident: Norwegian authorities haven't released detailed information about the source of the threat, who operated the drone, or the precise distance between the unmanned aircraft and Zelensky's plane. Despite the danger, no injuries were reported and the aircraft was not damaged.

Zelensky landed safely in Oslo that evening and proceeded with his scheduled commitments. He attended the state funeral as planned and held a series of urgent policy meetings focused on strengthening Ukraine's air defense capabilities before departing Norway.

King Harald V's state funeral took place Wednesday at Oslo Cathedral, with heads of state and royal representatives from around the world in attendance. In a poignant moment during the ceremony, Queen Sonja placed a single red rose on her husband's coffin and knelt before him one final time, concluding nearly 58 years of marriage.

This latest security scare adds to a growing list of threats facing Ukraine's president since the outbreak of war. Ukraine continues to face regular attacks on energy infrastructure and civilian targets, with recent months seeing severe damage to power plants and electrical facilities throughout the country.

During his Oslo meetings, Zelensky concentrated on bolstering Ukraine's air defense systems, a top priority for the nation's security apparatus. Ukraine is actively working to expand its defensive capabilities against aerial threats, including acquiring advanced systems from Western nations to protect against drone and missile attacks that have become a constant feature of the conflict.