OSLO — Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store stated that a plane carrying Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy from Moldova to Oslo was almost hit by a drone during takeoff from Moldova. The incident occurred as Zelenskyy traveled to the Norwegian capital for talks on military aid and air defense cooperation.

Store provided no details on his source for the information or the proximity of the drone to the aircraft. "That is the reality he lives in," said Store regarding the incident involving Zelenskyy's flight.

Zelenskyy arrived in Oslo on Tuesday evening. He held talks with Store, Finance Minister Jens Stoltenberg, and Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide regarding Norwegian military aid, including air defense support, and civilian assistance. The two leaders also met with defense industry executives to discuss advancing a European anti-ballistic system codenamed FREYJA.

"We expect to see the first practical results. I am grateful to Norway for hosting this meeting. I thank our partners for their readiness to work together. Protecting Europe’s skies is our shared responsibility," said Zelenskyy regarding the meeting in a podcast interview.

Following his meetings in Oslo, Zelenskyy left Norway for Canada after the funeral to hold talks with leaders there.

Why It Matters

The reported near-miss illustrates the security risks faced by Ukrainian leadership during international travel and the urgency of air defense discussions. The meetings in Oslo focused on concrete steps to enhance protection, including the development of the FREYJA anti-ballistic system. The incident near the Moldovan border illustrates the spillover effects of the conflict into neighboring regions. Disruptions at key crossings like Starokozache affect civilian movement and regional stability, reinforcing the need for coordinated defensive measures among European partners.

Timeline

President Zelenskyy arrived in Oslo on Tuesday evening. On September 8, 2026, he held talks with Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store, Finance Minister Jens Stoltenberg, and Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide regarding Norwegian military aid, including air defense support, and civilian assistance. Also on September 8, 2026, President Zelenskyy and Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store met with defense industry executives to discuss advancing a European anti-ballistic system codenamed FREYJA.

On September 9, 2026, Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store stated that the plane carrying Ukrainian President Zelenskyy was nearly hit by a drone during takeoff from Moldova, as reported by the Kyiv Independent on September 9, 2026. Later on September 9, 2026, President Zelenskyy left Norway for Canada after the funeral to hold talks with leaders there.

What's New

Additional reporting provides further context on the security environment and diplomatic outcomes. A Russian drone hit the Starokozache border crossing between Ukraine and Moldova in the southern Odesa region, causing a major fire and forcing authorities to temporarily suspend passenger and vehicle traffic. Ukrainian President Zelenskyy stated that rescue teams evacuated sixteen people from the area of the Starokozache border crossing strike.

Regarding the diplomatic engagements, President Zelenskyy and Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store met with defense industry executives to discuss advancing a European anti-ballistic system codenamed FREYJA. "We expect to see the first practical results. I am grateful to Norway for hosting this meeting. I thank our partners for their readiness to work together. Protecting Europe’s skies is our shared responsibility," said President Zelenskyy regarding the meeting on the FREYJA program. Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store provided no details on his source for the information or the proximity of the drone to the aircraft. Oslo is capital city of Norway.