Russian Drone Crossing Delays Zelensky Flight from Moldova to Oslo

What happened

BBC Europe Ukraine reports that a Russian drone entering Moldovan airspace on Tuesday afternoon caused a delay to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s flight from Chisinau to Oslo. The unmanned aircraft crossed into Moldova from Ukraine as Zelensky’s plane was preparing to take off. The Moldovan government shut down airspace for around an hour until confirming the drone had crashed some 160 kilometers from the airport.

Outside Brief is treating this as a source-led account. Any disputed responsibility, casualty figure, battlefield claim or single-source assertion should be treated as unconfirmed/hearsay unless confirmed by another reliable source or a named official. Moldovan government spokesman Dumitru Ciorici told the BBC that the airspace closure affected multiple flights, including three departures and four arrivals. The drone’s incursion prompted a security response including an airspace shutdown. Zelensky and his wife Olena arrived safely in Oslo later that day where he held talks on military aid and attended King Harald V’s funeral.

Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre publicly noted the flight had been nearly hit by a drone, though a source in Ukraine told Agence France Presse the threat was "exaggerated." Russian forces have been stepping up drone attacks targeting Ukraine and neighboring regions, with new faster jet-powered drones complicating air defense efforts.

Known from the source

• A Russian drone entered Moldovan airspace from Ukraine on Tuesday afternoon.
• The drone incursion caused airspace closure at Chisinau International Airport, delaying Zelensky’s plane for about an hour.
• The drone reportedly crashed around 160km from Chisinau in Mihăilenii Vechi village.
• Zelensky and his wife safely arrived in Oslo after the delay.
• Norwegian PM Jonas Gahr Støre said the drone nearly hit Zelensky’s flight.

What remains unclear

Meanwhile, attacks along the Moldovan border and on critical infrastructure inside Ukraine, including petrol stations and gas plants, have intensified. Ukraine’s Special Operations Forces reported a significant deep strike into Russia’s Yamalo-Nenets gas processing region. These incidents emphasize the evolving nature of the conflict involving drones and cross-border tensions.

What remains unclear: Confirm whether the central claim is corroborated; until then treat it as unconfirmed/hearsay. Exact flight timing and duration of delay caused by the drone incursion. Independent confirmation of the drone’s crash location and origin as Russian. Verification of Norwegian PM’s statement and Ukrainian source’s assessment.

Evidence note

Outside Brief has kept this brief source-led and attributed. Claims should be read alongside the original source linked below.

Original source: BBC Europe Ukraine. Open the source.