Zelenskyy’s aircraft narrowly escapes suspected Russian drone strike

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s plane was grounded in Moldova after a suspected Russian drone was spotted near its flight path, according to Daily Star.

The aircraft, due to depart Chisinau for Norway’s King Harald’s funeral, was delayed for about an hour on Wednesday after the drone crossed into Moldovan airspace, prompting an immediate shutdown. Moldovan spokesman Dumitru Ciorici said the drone came down and exploded 160km from the airport before the flight was cleared.

The Kremlin denied any threat to Zelenskyy’s jet. Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre confirmed the incident, saying Zelenskyy’s flight was “almost hit by a drone” while taking off.