A potential Shahed-type drone came dangerously close to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s aircraft as it took off from Moldova on September 8, according to a report by the Kyiv Independent citing a source familiar with the matter.
Moldovan Airspace Violation and NATO Response
The drone entered Moldovan airspace at approximately 16:20 local time on September 8, according to official data from the Moldovan defense ministry. Military units tracked the aerial device until 16:37, when it crossed the border into Romania. The incursion triggered airspace closures, public alerts, and the scrambling of NATO fighter jets.
While the Moldovan military’s official briefing did not mention Zelenskyy’s aircraft, the timing closely matched the Ukrainian leader’s departure. Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre confirmed the proximity of the threat to the Norwegian broadcaster NRK, stating that the drone nearly hit the plane during takeoff.
Did you know? Orosz drónok és rakéták az elmúlt hónapokban többször is megsértették Moldova és a NATO-tag Románia légterét.
Diplomatic Context and Regional Tensions
Zelenskyy was traveling to Norway at the time to meet with Prime Minister Støre ahead of King Harald’s funeral. President Donald Trump held discussions in Kyiv and Moscow regarding potential terms to end the ongoing war. According to the Kyiv Independent, those negotiations produced no substantial breakthrough, and Russian President Vladimir Putin has shown no willingness to drop his foundational demands.
Historical Precedents and Security Concerns
Past incidents involving Kremlin critics have heightened scrutiny surrounding the safety of high-profile Ukrainian leadership. The Kyiv Independent noted parallels to the August 2023 death of Wagner mercenary group leader Yevgeny Prigozhin, whose private jet crashed inside Russia. The Kremlin has consistently denied any involvement in Prigozhin’s death.
:format(webp):quality(80)/https://romaniatv.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/drona-moldova.jpg "Russian Drone Narrowly Misses Zelenskyy's Plane Over Moldova")
Frequently Asked Questions
When did the drone incident occur in Moldova?
The Shahed-type drone entered Moldovan airspace at approximately 16:20 local time on September 8 before crossing into Romania at 16:37.
Was President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s plane officially targeted?
There is currently no public proof that the drone specifically targeted Zelenskyy’s aircraft, though Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre noted the flight path nearly intersected with the drone during takeoff.
How did authorities respond to the airspace breach?
Moldovan forces tracked the drone, authorities temporarily closed local airspaces, issued public alerts, and scrambled NATO fighter jets.
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