Volodymyr Zelensky, the President of Ukraine, stated that Russia has attempted twice in recent weeks to target his presidential plane while traveling to Moldova with a drone. Zelensky said in an interview with a media outlet: "My presidential plane was in Moldova, and that is why they attacked Moldova. When we returned home, they did the same thing again through Chisinau."
Details of Russia's Attempts
Zelensky referred to incidents involving drones in Moldova's airspace during his two recent trips but did not provide further information about the alleged attempts to target his plane. He also mentioned an incident on September 9, when Jonas Gahr Støre, the Prime Minister of Norway, stated that Zelensky's plane was "almost" targeted by a drone while taking off from Moldova to Oslo, where the President of Ukraine was attending the funeral of King Harald V of Norway.
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Response from Moldovan Officials
Moldovan officials later announced that the country's airspace was temporarily closed after a drone entered Moldova's airspace, causing several flights to be delayed. At that time, Zelensky's plane was on the ground, and the drone ultimately crashed about 160 kilometers from Chisinau International Airport. After this incident, the restrictions were lifted, and Zelensky's plane took off.
A source close to the Ukrainian presidency described the claims that Zelensky was in danger as "exaggerated." Zelensky also stated that one or two other drones had entered Moldova's airspace during his return to Ukraine in the following days. This second incident had not been reported earlier.
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