Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's aircraft was nearly struck by a drone while departing Moldova on its way to Norway, according to Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre.
Speaking to Norwegian broadcaster NRK on Wednesday, Støre said the incident occurred as Zelenskyy's plane was preparing to take off for Oslo, where the Ukrainian leader was travelling to attend the funeral of Norway's King Harald V.
“His plane was almost hit by a drone as it was about to take off from Moldova. That is the reality he is facing,” Støre said.
The Norwegian prime minister did not provide details about the source of the information, the type of drone involved or how close it came to the presidential aircraft.
The remarks offered a rare glimpse into the security challenges surrounding Zelenskyy's international travel as Russia's war against Ukraine continues.
Støre said he spoke with the Ukrainian president after his arrival in Norway and was struck by the pressures Zelenskyy continues to face.
“I asked him how his night had been, and he said it had not been a good night because he had been on the phone receiving updates about where the missiles had struck,” Støre told NRK.
“It is a very dramatic situation. It makes a strong impression.”
The comments came amid another period of intensified attacks and security concerns linked to the conflict in Ukraine.
Zelenskyy arrived in Oslo on Tuesday evening and held talks with senior Norwegian officials, including Prime Minister Støre, Finance Minister Jens Stoltenberg and Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide.
Discussions centred on continued Norwegian support for Ukraine, particularly in the areas of military assistance, air-defence systems and civilian aid.
Norway has been one of Ukraine's key European supporters since the start of Russia's full-scale invasion, providing military equipment, financial assistance and humanitarian support.
Støre indicated that efforts were continuing to identify ways to strengthen Ukraine's air-defence capabilities.
“We're not there yet. Industry is working together to see whether it is possible to provide air defence systems for Ukraine, but also to find an industrial solution that would allow them to build air defence systems themselves,” he said.
“To put it simply, they have holes in the roof.”
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