President Volodymyr Zelensky pictured boarding Ukrainian plane UR-AB. (Photo: X)
President Volodymyr Zelensky’s plane was almost hit by a drone while taking off from Moldova, Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre told the NRK state media outlet on Wednesday. Zelensky traveled to Oslo from Moldova on the evening of Sept. 8 to attend Wednesday’s funeral of King Harald on Wednesday.
Støre said the incident highlighted the ‘reality’ that the Ukrainian president continues to face amid Russia’s war in Ukraine, commenting that “It’s a very dramatic situation” and “leaves a strong impression.”
The prime minister’s office declined to provide more information about the incident.
Zelensky went directly from the airport to the Plaza Hotel on arrival in Oslo, where he met with members of the Norwegian government to discuss the situation in Ukraine.
Støre said he asked Zelensky how his night had been, to which the president replied it had not been good as he had been on the phone receiving updates about Russian missile strikes on his country.
Støre said he had spoken with Zelensky several times prior to Wednesday’s funeral after which the president again visited Støre’s office.
As previously reported, Ukraine’s need for additional air defense was among the issues discussed during meetings with government and industry representatives from partner countries on Wednesday.