Zelensky Says Russia Attacked Moldova Twice While He Was There

What happened

The Kyiv Independent reports Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky claiming Russia attacked Moldova twice because his presidential jet was present in the country. In an interview with CBS News published September 15, Zelensky said: "So in Moldova, my presidential jet was there, and that's why they attacked Moldova." He speculated that Russia may not have wanted to strike him personally but possibly aimed to scare him.

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. According to a Kyiv Independent source cited on September 9, a suspected Russian Shahed-type drone violated Moldovan and Romanian airspace on September 8 and nearly hit Zelensky’s plane as it departed Moldova. Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store corroborated this near-miss, telling Norwegian broadcaster NRK that the president’s plane was almost struck by a drone while taking off from Moldova.

Zelensky’s travel itinerary that included Moldova en route to Norway, then Iceland and Canada—where he signed a 100-year partnership with Ottawa—adds context to the timing of the strikes. He expressed distrust in Moldovan authorities, suggesting they may have been aware of the threat but did not share information with the media or Ukrainian side upon his return through Chisinau.

Known from the source

• President Zelensky said Russia attacked Moldova twice because his presidential jet was there.
• A suspected Russian Shahed-type drone violated Moldovan and Romanian airspace on September 8 and nearly hit Zelensky’s plane departing Moldova.
• Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store confirmed Zelensky’s plane was nearly hit by a drone during takeoff from Moldova.
• Zelensky traveled through Moldova on multiple occasions, including trips to Norway, Iceland, and Canada.
• Zelensky dismissed a US-announced energy ceasefire as ineffective and said Russia will not negotiate with perceived weakness.

What remains unclear

The article also reports Zelensky’s rejection of the energy ceasefire announced by U.S. President Donald Trump on September 14, emphasizing that Russian President Putin will not respond to perceived weakness, and reiterating Ukraine’s stance of responding but never attacking first.

What remains unclear: Confirm whether the central claim is corroborated; until then treat it as unconfirmed/hearsay. Independent confirmation of Russian responsibility for the Moldovan drone attacks. Verification of the drone incident near Zelensky’s plane from Moldovan or allied airspace controllers. Official Moldovan statements regarding the strikes and airspace violations.

Evidence note

This story contains report-led claims. The article keeps those claims attributed and treats them as unconfirmed/hearsay unless independently corroborated.

Original source: Kyiv Independent. Open the source.