Zelenskyy’s plane nearly hit by drone while traveling to funeral, Norway PM says

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy s plane narrowly escaped a drone attack as it took off from Moldova for King Harald V s funeral in Oslo, according to Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre. The incident, which delayed the flight, put Zelenskyy and his entourage in danger while en route to the royal funeral in Norway. Zelenskyy, who was in Moldova to meet with Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre, was able to safely reach Oslo the previous evening.

State Secretary Bhanuja Rasiah confirmed the airspace threat impacted the flight s schedule, though the extent of the drone proximity to the plane remains unclear. Norwegian Finance Minister Jens Stoltenberg also verified the incident, revealing the president s account of the chaotic departure and acknowledging the challenges of escaping from Ukraine.

Despite the risks, Stoltenberg emphasized the importance of Zelenskyy s presence at the funeral, stating that it was impressive to see the wartime president attending the service. Zelenskyy expressed gratitude for Norway s continuous support throughout the conflict, stating that the nation is deeply thankful for the country s assistance and the decisions that aid in protecting its people.

The Ukrainian leader also called for an end to the escalation, urging international partners to focus on de-escalation efforts and work towards a lasting peace agreement.