President Volodymyr Zelensky claims Russian drones entered Moldovan airspace twice while his plane was present, though officials dispute the severity of a reported near-collision.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that Russian drones entered Moldovan airspace on two separate occasions while his presidential aircraft was in the country. Zelensky suggested these actions were intended to intimidate him, noting that the incidents occurred during his travel to and from Norway. While the Ukrainian president described the events as a deliberate show of power by Russia, officials have offered conflicting accounts regarding the danger posed to his flight.

Reports of Near-Collision

On September 9, Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre stated that Zelensky’s plane nearly collided with a drone while departing Moldova for Oslo. According to reports, Moldovan authorities detected a drone in the country's airspace, leading to a temporary closure of airspace and a delay in the president's departure. The drone reportedly exploded near the village of Mihăilenii Vechi, approximately 160 kilometers from Chișinău International Airport.

Disputed Accounts and Official Responses

A source within the Ukrainian president’s office characterized the claim of a near-collision as an "exaggeration." Similarly, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov dismissed the threat to the aircraft as "illusory," asserting that Ukrainian officials had acknowledged as much. Zelensky maintained that Russia was aware of his movements and the presence of international delegations, framing the incidents as part of a broader pattern of Russian aggression.