President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's flight was delayed by a Russian drone incursion in Moldovan airspace

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's plane was delayed during its departure from Moldova to Norway on Tuesday afternoon. The delay occurred because Moldovan authorities closed the country's airspace to protect aircraft flying over the region. The closure was triggered by an unidentified drone that entered Moldovan airspace at 4:20 pm EEST. The drone subsequently crossed into Romanian airspace, where it was tracked by two Spanish F-18 fighter jets. After the drone re-entered Moldovan airspace and crashed approximately 100 miles from Chișinău International Airport, the airspace restrictions were lifted. The drone exploded upon impact, creating a crater and causing four fires in a nearby sunflower field. Moldovan officials confirmed the drone featured characteristics similar to a Geran-type drone used by Russia. Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre reported that the flight was almost hit by the drone. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy arrived in Oslo for the funeral of King Harald V and held talks regarding Norwegian military aid.

Sources

• Euronews.com
  Timeline: How a Russian drone nearly hit Zelenskyy's plane in Moldova
• cbsnews.com
  Zelenskyy's plane almost hit by drone en route to Norway king's funeral, prime minister says
• NBC News
  Flight carrying Zelenskyy to Norway was delayed in Moldova because of drone incursion

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Paywall and unreadable sources

• The New York Times
  Russian Drone Incursion Delayed Zelensky Flight to Oslo, Moldova Says
• Financial Times
  Drone almost struck Zelenskyy’s plane, says Ukraine