Zelenskyy Says Russia Twice Targeted His Plane With Drones In Recent Weeks

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy revealed to CBS News that Russian drones targeted his plane twice in recent weeks, according to a report by UATV English. The incidents occurred while the Ukrainian leader was in Moldova, both on his way to and back from the country. Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store had previously mentioned that Zelenskyy's plane was "almost hit" by a drone in Moldovan airspace on September 9 when the president was departing for Oslo.

Zelenskyy stated that one or two drones entered Moldovan airspace during his return flight to Ukraine a few days later. The incident remained largely unreported until Zelenskyy disclosed it in his CBS News interview. Ukrainian officials confirmed that all members of the presidential delegation were safe during the attacks, but it was uncertain whether the incidents were intentional or not. Zelenskyy believed these events were part of a Russian strategy to intimidate him and other foreign leaders.

Furthermore, Zelenskyy cited a recent Russian drone strike on a passenger train carrying foreign dignitaries, including senior European officials and former CIA Director David Petraeus. The train, which was en route to Ukraine, was forced to evacuate near the Polish border due to the attack. Zelenskyy suspected that Russia may have been aware of the presence of American and European officials on the train when it was targeted.

The string of drone incidents has intensified as there has been an overall rise in unidentified drones entering European airspace, with some traced back to Russia. In response, NATO fighter jets shot down a drone in Lithuanian airspace for the first time on September 15, according to Lithuania's military officials.