Zelenskyy’s plane ‘almost hit’ by drone en route to Oslo, Norway PM says

Norway steps up focus on Ukraine’s air defence after Zelenskyy’s Oslo visit

Usagevpn.com – Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s journey to Oslo underscored the security risks surrounding even his official travel, after Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store said the aircraft carrying him from Moldova was nearly struck by a drone during take-off.

Store described the incident on Wednesday while reflecting on Zelenskyy’s brief visit to Norway, where the Ukrainian leader attended the funeral of King Harald V and met senior members of the government. No further information was provided about the drone, the flight route, or how close the aircraft came to danger.

“His flight was almost hit by a drone when it was taking off from Moldova. That is the reality he lives in,” Store said.

The episode illustrates the constant pressure facing Ukraine’s leadership as the country continues to defend itself against Russian missile and drone attacks. Zelenskyy’s travels abroad are closely linked to efforts to secure military equipment, financial support and political backing from partner countries.

A difficult night before the trip

Store said he had asked Zelenskyy how he had slept before arriving in Norway. The response, he said, reflected the demands of monitoring a war that regularly places Ukrainian cities and infrastructure under threat.

“I asked him how his night had been, and he said it had not been a good night because he had been on the phone receiving updates about where the missiles had struck,” Store said.

For Ukraine, air defence remains one of the most urgent military needs. Drones and missiles can target populated areas, energy facilities and other civilian infrastructure, forcing officials to make difficult decisions about how to protect wide areas with limited equipment.

Store said the situation left a strong impression on him, calling it highly dramatic. His remarks connected the danger faced by Zelenskyy personally with the broader reality confronting Ukrainians during continued attacks.

Talks centred on military and civilian assistance

Zelenskyy arrived in Oslo on Tuesday evening. During the visit, he met Store, Finance Minister Jens Stoltenberg and Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide. Their discussions covered Norway’s support for Ukraine, with air-defence assistance among the central subjects.

The meetings also addressed civilian aid. Such assistance can involve support for communities and institutions affected by the war, alongside the military help needed to counter attacks from the air.

Norway has been involved in wider European efforts to sustain assistance for Ukraine. The Oslo talks highlighted a concern shared by Kyiv and its partners: providing defensive systems quickly enough while also creating a more durable capacity for Ukraine to maintain and eventually produce equipment itself.

“We’re not there yet. Industry is working together to see whether it is possible to provide air defence systems for Ukraine, but also to find an industrial solution that would allow them to build air defence systems themselves. To put it simply, they have holes in the roof,” Store said.

The prime minister’s description points to two related challenges. Ukraine needs additional protection now, particularly against aerial attacks, while longer-term security also depends on whether it can develop stronger domestic production and maintenance capabilities. Building systems locally could reduce dependence on outside deliveries, though Store made clear that discussions with industry were still ongoing.

Air defence remains a practical priority

Air-defence systems are designed to detect, track and intercept threats such as drones and missiles. Their effectiveness depends on more than the launchers themselves: radar, ammunition, trained personnel, maintenance and coordination all matter. For a country as large as Ukraine, protecting every location at all times is difficult, making shortages especially consequential.

Store’s metaphor about holes in the roof captured the challenge in simple terms. It suggested that defensive coverage remains incomplete and that new equipment must be matched with a sustainable industrial approach.

No details were released about decisions reached during the Oslo meetings or about any specific future deliveries. Store said the work had not yet reached a final outcome.

Zelenskyy continues to Canada

Following the funeral in Norway, Zelenskyy travelled on to Canada for meetings with leaders there, Store said. The trip forms part of the Ukrainian president’s continuing diplomatic effort to keep international support focused on the country’s security, reconstruction needs and civilian resilience.

The near-drone incident during the flight from Moldova gave the Oslo visit an added sense of urgency. It also reinforced why discussions over air-defence systems remain central to Ukraine’s engagement with allies: the threat is not abstract, and it can shape events far beyond the battlefield.