Zelenskyj's plane nearly hit by drone during Moldova takeoff, Støre says
Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre said Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyj's aircraft was almost struck by a drone while departing Moldova for Norway.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyj flew to Oslo to take part in King Harald's burial, yet his journey was marked by a dangerous episode when a drone nearly collided with his aircraft during takeoff from Moldova. Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre described the event as a stark reminder of the volatile security situation, citing recent Russian drone strikes on the Ukraine-Moldova frontier that resulted in two fatalities and three injuries.
The Moldovan defence department reported spotting the drone west of Chisinau before it moved toward the town of Roman and later crashed east of the Romanian border. Zelenskyj and Støre met at the Radisson Blu Plaza on Tuesday night and again on Wednesday morning, where the Ukrainian president expressed concern over the night's events. After attending the funeral, Zelenskyj departed Norway around 16:20 the next day.
How this was covered
- Coverage peaked at 20 outlets in a single hour
How the sides frame it
MODERATE AGREEMENTLeft-leaning coverage adds a Ukrainian-presidency source that calls the “almost hit” claim exaggerated, while centrist and right-leaning coverage simply repeat the prime minister’s statement without that nuance.
LEFT
Covers the incident but highlights a Ukrainian source that characterises the claim as exaggerated, suggesting caution about the severity of the threat.
CENTER
Reports the prime minister’s statement that the plane was almost hit by a drone, providing no additional context or assessment.
RIGHT
Reiterates the prime minister’s claim of an “almost hit” by a drone, offering no further commentary or source criticism.
The left emphasises
- "His flight was almost hit by a drone when it was taking off from Moldova. That is the reality he lives in"
- a Ukrainian-presidency source says the claim was "exaggerated"
- the incident is framed as part of the broader danger Zelenskyy faces
The right emphasises
- "His plane was almost hit by a drone as it was about to take off from Moldova. That is the reality he is facing"
- does not specify source or proximity of the drone
