Security Alert: President Zelenskyy’s Aircraft Nearly Collides with Russian Drone Over Moldova
A life-threatening incident occurred during a recent diplomatic mission involving President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Norwegian officials confirmed that the Ukrainian leader’s plane narrowly avoided a collision with a Russian attack drone. The incident took place as the aircraft prepared to depart Chisinau airport for Oslo. Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre described the event as a stark reminder of the constant risks Zelenskyy faces during his international travels.
This incursion signals a worrying tactical shift by Moscow. The Russian military is increasingly deploying jet-powered drones. These devices blur the lines between conventional unmanned aerial vehicles and low-cost cruise missiles. They present a significant challenge to modern air defense systems because they are notoriously difficult to intercept.
This incursion signals a worrying tactical shift
The timeline of that Tuesday reveals a rapid sequence of dangerous events: 16:20: Moldovan military radar detected an unidentified unmanned aerial vehicle. 16:37: The device entered Romanian airspace, effectively crossing into NATO territory. 16:39: Two Spanish F-18 fighter jets, operating under NATO command, were scrambled to investigate but failed to intercept the target. 17:02: Radar tracking was lost, and contact with the drone ceased. 17:07: The device reappeared on radar screens over Moldova. It eventually crashed approximately 25 kilometers from the Romanian border. 17:57: Nearly an hour after radar contact resumed, the presidential aircraft took off safely from Chisinau.
While Chisinau has recently become a frequent departure point for Ukrainian delegations, Zelenskyy primarily utilized routes through Poland, specifically Rzeszów, during the early stages of the 2022 conflict.
Although there is no official confirmation of the specific model, open-source intelligence (OSINT) analysts suggest it was a „Geran-4.”This device belongs to a new generation of Russian drones. It measures 3.5 meters in length with a 3-meter wingspan and a maximum takeoff weight of 450 kilograms. According to Kyiv’s intelligence services, this model can reach speeds of up to 500 km/h, making it a formidable weapon in Russia’s current arsenal.