Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky flew to Oslo on Tuesday for a royal funeral, but his trip began with a scare. A local broadcaster was informed by Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre that Zelensky’s plane narrowly avoided a drone strike while taking off in Moldova. He described the danger as the daily reality for the Ukrainian leader. Zelensky’s aircraft almost suffered a drone impact during its departure from Moldova. That’s the reality he lives in, Støre said.
However, officials in Kyiv and Chisinau tell a different story about the incident. The Ukrainian government stated that the account given by Oslo regarding the risk to President Zelensky had been “exaggerated.” Moldova reported that the flight was simply delayed because national airspace was closed to protect aircraft from a Russian drone entering their space.
Moldovan police confirmed that a Russian drone crashed on Tuesday in a sunflower field near a village in the Riscani district. The crash caused four fires to break out, but no injuries were reported. Dumitru Ciorici, a government spokesperson, stated that Moldova shut down its airspace Tuesday afternoon to safeguard planes flying overhead. This action delayed three departures, including the one carrying Zelenskyy.
Investigations by Moldovan authorities identified the exact location where the drone hit the ground. “Investigations identified the point of impact, where an explosion occurred and a crater of considerable size was formed,” police said, according to NBC News. The drone crashed and detonated 160 kilometers away from Chișinău International Airport, well clear of the departure point for the President’s plane.
The drone entered Moldovan airspace on Tuesday and crossed into neighboring Romania, a NATO member. Before reentering Moldovan airspace, two F-18 aircraft from the Spanish Air and Space Forces were scrambled to monitor its path. Fragments of the drone discovered by experts included a propulsion system and traits resembling a Geran-type drone.
Conflicting stories from allies can make it hard for Americans to know what is real. When leaders speak of danger, we need facts to judge the true threat level. The Norwegian Prime Minister painted a picture of near-miss chaos, while Moldovan officials focused on a safe landing after a delay. The drone crashed 160km away, yet the story of a close call reached the headlines first.
Ukraine’s denial suggests the narrative of immediate danger might be a tool for political support. We must look at the numbers and the official reports from the ground. The airspace was closed, and the flight was delayed, but the plane was not hit. The crater was real, but the proximity to the jet remains in dispute.
