appConfigEntityId

bodyType

customContents

entityId

entityUuid

isVideo

articlePageQuery

article

articleSchemaContent

content

hooksArticlePageAdvertisementConfigArticle

hooksArticlePageFloatingButtonConfigArticle

appConfig

filter

json

liveArticle

Agence France-Presse

Ukraine and Moldova on Wednesday played down claims from Norway’s prime minister that a plane carrying President Volodymyr Zelensky was almost hit by a drone as it flew to Oslo.
Jonas Gahr Store told Norwegian public broadcaster NRK that Zelensky’s plane was “almost hit by a drone when it was taking off from Moldova”.
But a source in the Ukrainian presidency described the claim that Zelensky was at risk as “exaggerated”.
“It was an alert in Moldova when a Russian (drone) entered Moldovan and Romanian airspace,” the source told Agence France-Presse.
In Chisinau, government spokesman Dumitru Ciorici said Moldova closed its airspace on Tuesday afternoon just after 4.30pm local time due to a Russian drone that entered from the direction of Ukraine.
“The airspace was closed to protect aircraft flying over Moldova at the time: three departures and four arrivals were delayed as a result,” he added.
“After 1720, the authorities confirmed that the drone had come down and exploded … some 160km (100 miles) from Chisinau International Airport.
“Flight restrictions were then lifted. For the same reason, the plane of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky took off … later than scheduled.”
Zelensky arrived in Oslo on Tuesday evening and held talks with Store, Finance Minister Jens Stoltenberg and Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide on Norwegian military aid, including air-defence support, and civilian assistance.
On Wednesday, he joined a host of other foreign dignitaries at the funeral of Norway’s King Harald, who died on August 28, aged 89.
Zelensky left Norway afterwards, headed for Canada and talks with leaders there, Store told NRK.


Denmark says Russian frigate fired flares at helicopter

Ukraine says ready for ‘de-escalatory steps’ if Russia does same

‘Cannon fodder’ Asians tricked to fight for Russia spur calls for intervention

Poland and Ukraine denounce train strike on route used by foreign dignitaries

Ukraine war

Ukraine, Moldova play down Norwegian claim Zelensky’s plane ‘almost hit’ by drone

Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky and his wife Olena Zelenska exit their plane at Gardermoen airport near Oslo. Photo: NTB via AFP

Putin and Trump discuss Ukraine in ‘extremely frank’ call

US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin discussed the Ukraine conflict in a phone call. Photo: AFP

A building in Kyiv destroyed in a Russian missile attack on Tuesday. Photo: AP

Russia’s President Vladimir Putin welcomes Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner in Moscow on Saturday. Photo: Sputnik via TNS

Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky welcomes Steve Witkoff Jared Kushner in Kyiv on Sunday. Photo: AFP

Norwegians bid final farewell to King Harald V, ‘grandfather of the nation’

The coffin of Norway’s King Harald V is followed in the procession route for his funeral as it arrives at Oslo Cathedral in Oslo on Wednesday. Photo: AP

Members of Norway’s military stand in formation as King Harald’s coffin is carried from the Palace to Oslo Cathedral on the day of his funeral on Wednesday. Photo: NTB/Ole Berg-Rusten via Reuters

People walk past a picture of late King Harald on the day of the funeral service for him, in Oslo, Norway, on Wednesday. Photo: Reuters

(From left) Queen Sonja of Norway, Crown Princess Ingrid Alexandra, Prince Sverre Magnus and King Haakon VIII are seen on the balcony of the Royal Palace after the funeral of the late King Harald V in Oslo on Wednesday. Photo: AFP

People watch the funeral of Norway’s King Harald at a public viewing in Oslo on Wednesday. Photo: Reuters

Russia resumes deadly strikes on Kyiv after pause for Trump envoys’ visit

Smoke rises over buildings in downtown Kyiv on Tuesday following Russian air attacks. Photo: AFP

Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky with Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff in Kyiv on Sunday. Photo: AP

President Vladimir Putin greets Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff in Moscow on Saturday. Photo: Sputnik via AP

Ukraine war: how escalating attacks are upending lives in Kyiv

People visit a McDonald’s in Kyiv in an area hit by ​​numerous missile attacks. File photo: Reuters

A man looks on as smoke rises over a warehouse in the Kyiv region hit by a Russian drone strike on August 27. Photo: Reuters

A medical worker in Kyiv treats a man injured by a Russian drone strike on Thursday. Photo: Reuters

Six-year-old Svyatoslav sits on Tuesday in front of a Kyiv residential building damaged by a Russian drone strike. Photo: Reuters

News

World

Europe

Officials clarify airspace closure delayed Ukrainian leader’s flight to Oslo following Russian drone intrusion


Officials clarify airspace closure delayed Ukrainian leader’s flight to Oslo following Russian drone intrusion.


Ukraine, Moldova play down Norwegian claim Zelensky’s plane ‘almost hit’ by drone

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Officials clarify airspace closure delayed Ukrainian leader’s flight to Oslo following Russian drone intrusion

Officials clarify airspace closure delayed Ukrainian leader’s flight to Oslo following Russian drone intrusion