Zelenskyy’s plane ‘almost hit’ by drone en route to Oslo, Norway PM says

Zelenskyy’s Journey to Oslo Underscores Ukraine’s Wartime Risks

Poinews.com – Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy faced a potentially dangerous moment while travelling from Moldova to Norway, with his aircraft nearly struck by a drone during take-off, Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre said on Wednesday.

The incident, for which Støre gave no additional operational details, highlighted the security pressures surrounding Zelenskyy’s overseas travel as Russia’s war against Ukraine continues. The Ukrainian leader’s visit to Oslo combined ceremonial duties with discussions on military and civilian support for his country.

“His flight was almost hit by a drone when it was taking off from Moldova. That is the reality he lives in,” Støre told Norwegian public broadcaster NRK.

The Norwegian prime minister described a meeting with Zelenskyy in which the Ukrainian president had spoken of a difficult night spent monitoring missile-strike updates. The account offered a stark reminder that even during diplomatic visits abroad, Ukraine’s leadership remains closely tied to events unfolding at home.

“I asked him how his night had been, and he said it had not been a good night because he had been on the phone receiving updates about where the missiles had struck,” Støre told NRK. “It is a very dramatic situation. It makes a strong impression.”

Talks Focus on Air Defence and Civilian Support

Zelenskyy arrived in Oslo on Tuesday evening before the funeral of Norway’s King Harald V. During the visit, he met Støre, Finance Minister Jens Stoltenberg and Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide.

Central to their talks was Norway’s assistance for Ukraine, including potential support for air-defence capabilities and civilian aid. Air defence has become a critical concern for Ukraine as missile and drone attacks continue to pose a threat to communities, infrastructure and essential services.

The discussions also examined whether industry could help provide additional defensive systems and develop a longer-term industrial approach that would allow Ukraine to manufacture such equipment itself. Støre indicated that work on the issue was still continuing and that no final result had been reached.

“We’re not there yet. Industry is working together to see whether it is possible to provide air defence systems for Ukraine, but also to find an industrial solution that would allow them to build air defence systems themselves. To put it simply, they have holes in the roof.”

Støre’s description of “holes in the roof” conveyed the urgent practical challenge behind the diplomatic discussions: Ukraine needs greater capacity to protect its airspace and population from incoming attacks. The phrase also pointed to the distinction between short-term deliveries of equipment and the longer-term goal of building sustainable domestic capacity.

A Visit Framed by Security Concerns

Zelenskyy’s trip to Norway took place under the shadow of the same conflict that has made air-defence support a priority for Kyiv and its partners. The reported drone encounter near Moldova added a personal dimension to a broader security environment in which air travel, official visits and public events can all be affected by the war.

For Ukraine, international meetings remain an important forum for maintaining political support and discussing the material needs of its defence. For partner governments, such visits provide an opportunity to assess what assistance may be possible while balancing immediate requirements with industrial and logistical constraints.

The Oslo meetings brought together both military and civilian aspects of Norway’s support. While air-defence systems can help address threats from missiles and drones, civilian assistance remains relevant to the wider consequences of sustained attacks. The talks reflected the need to consider both the protection of Ukraine’s territory and the needs of people living through the conflict.

After the funeral, Zelenskyy departed Norway for Canada, where he was due to meet leaders there. Støre did not disclose further information about the outcome of the Norwegian discussions.

The near miss described by Støre and Zelenskyy’s account of receiving strike updates during the night illustrated how little separation exists between wartime realities and high-level diplomacy for Ukraine’s president. His visit to Oslo was intended to advance discussions on support, but it was also shaped by the immediate dangers that Ukraine continues to confront.