Zelensky's plane nearly collided with a drone while departing from Moldova to Oslo - Norwegian PM
The plane of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky nearly collided with a drone during takeoff from Moldova on the evening of September 8. The Ukrainian leader was heading to Oslo, where the next day he participated in the farewell ceremony for King Harald V of Norway.
Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre told public broadcaster NRK about this, VG reports.
"His plane was nearly hit by a drone as it was about to take off from Moldova. That is the reality he lives in," – Støre said.
The Norwegian PM did not specify where he got the information about the incident or how close the drone was to the presidential plane. At the time of publication, no details about the drone's origin or the circumstances of its appearance near the aircraft had been reported.
Zelensky arrived in Oslo on the evening of September 8. The next day he participated in the farewell ceremony for King Harald V and held talks with Norwegian leadership.
Støre said that in the morning he asked the Ukrainian president how his night had been. According to the PM, Zelensky replied that it had been difficult because he was constantly in touch and receiving information about the locations of Russian missile strikes on Ukraine.
"This is a very dramatic situation. It makes a strong impression," – the head of the Norwegian government noted.
During the visit, Zelensky held meetings with Støre, Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide, and Finance Minister, former NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg.
One of the main topics of the talks was strengthening Ukrainian air and missile defense. Zelensky has previously called the ability to intercept ballistic missiles one of the most vulnerable elements of Ukrainian air defense.
In addition, the Ukrainian and Norwegian sides discussed the development of the joint FREYJA missile program. The project involves, among others, the Norwegian defense company Kongsberg, which is considering the possibility of integrating the new missile into the NASAMS system architecture.
