# Dispute over drone incident near Zelenskyy flight

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/dispute-over-drone-incident-near-zelenskyy-flight
> Updated: 2026-09-11T02:10:07.000Z. Sources: 197. Developments: 2.

A dispute has emerged regarding a reported drone incident involving an aircraft transporting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy during his departure from Moldova. 

Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre reported that the aircraft narrowly avoided a drone collision while taking off from Moldova en route to Oslo. However, Moldovan government spokesperson Dumitru Ciorici clarified that while the flight experienced delays due to a temporary airspace closure following a drone alert, there was “no direct threat” to the aircraft because it remained on the ground during the closure. A suspected drone reportedly crashed and exploded near a village approximately 160 km from Chisinau, causing no casualties. 

The Kremlin dismissed the claims as “unreal,” and a source from the Ukrainian presidency characterized the reports as “exaggerated,” describing the event as an airspace alert rather than an immediate threat to the plane. The incident, which occurred as the aircraft prepared to depart Chisinau for Oslo to attend a state funeral, highlights ongoing security challenges in Eastern Europe regarding high-profile diplomatic movements.

## Claims

- The aircraft carrying President Zelensky remained on the ground during the airspace closure and faced no direct threat. (disputed by 3 sources)
- The aircraft carrying President Zelensky was nearly struck by a drone while departing Moldova for Norway. (disputed by 2 sources)
- Zelensky’s flight from Chisinau to Oslo was delayed due to a temporary closure of Moldovan airspace. (corroborated by 4 sources)
- A drone entered Moldovan airspace and eventually crashed and exploded approximately 160 km from Chisinau International Airport. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- The Kremlin dismissed reports of a threat to Zelensky’s aircraft as unrealistic. (corroborated by 2 sources)

## Timeline

### 2026-09-11: Moldova denies direct threat to Zelensky’s plane after drone-related flight delay

President Zelensky’s flight from Moldova to Norway was delayed due to a temporary airspace closure caused by a drone incursion, though Moldovan officials deny the aircraft faced a direct threat.

6 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/moldova-denies-drone-threat-to-zelenskys-aircraft

### 2026-09-08: Zelenskyy's aircraft narrowly avoids drone during takeoff from Moldova

Norwegian PM Jonas Gahr Støre stated President Zelenskyy's plane narrowly avoided a drone during takeoff from Moldova. Zelenskyy arrived in Oslo for King Harald V's funeral to discuss air defense support.

191 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/zelenskyys-aircraft-narrowly-avoids-drone-collision

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Cite as: Dispute over drone incident near Zelenskyy flight. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/dispute-over-drone-incident-near-zelenskyy-flight