A drone narrowly missed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's aircraft during takeoff in Moldova while he was en route to Oslo for the funeral of late Norwegian King Harald, according to Norwegian Prime Minister (PM) Jonas Gahr Store.
Store told state channel NRK that Zelensky described the night as difficult, having been on the phone receiving news about missile strikes. According to the PM, the incident – first reported by NRK – "makes a strong impression." [1] The incident underscores the pervasive nature of the drone threat that has become a defining characteristic of the conflict, as both sides use unmanned aerial vehicles for surveillance and strikes.
The Norwegian leader's comments provide a rare, detailed glimpse into the immediate dangers facing Ukraine's leadership. The close call occurred against a backdrop of intensified drone warfare. According to BBC Verify analysis of Ukrainian Air Force data, Russia fired its new rapid, jet-powered drones against Ukraine every day throughout August, marking the first time daily attacks by Moscow's new upgraded Geran drones were recorded. [2]
Norwegian PM Recounts the Incident
Store said he asked Zelensky how the night had been, and Zelensky replied it was not a good night due to incoming missile reports. The Norwegian PM described the situation as very dramatic, noting the constant communication Zelensky maintains with military officials. The incident occurred during takeoff in Moldova, according to Store's account. [1]
The account illustrates the persistent security challenges faced by Ukrainian officials amid the ongoing war. Drone incursions and strikes have become a regular occurrence in the conflict.
In a separate incident, Polish officials reported that on the night of Sept. 9, multiple drones launched from Belarus, a Russian ally, damaged at least one home and forced the closure of parts of Poland's airspace, including Warsaw Chopin Airport. [3] The Kremlin has categorically denied responsibility for the incursions into Poland, which the Polish government characterized as a direct and unprecedented provocation. [4]
Meetings and Schedule in Oslo
Zelensky arrived at the Plaza Hotel in Oslo around 9 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 8, where he met with Store and Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide. A second meeting was held on the same day, and the Norwegian prime minister's office visited Zelensky again on Wednesday, Sept. 9. The meetings focused on security cooperation and regional defense matters, officials said. [1]
The diplomatic meetings come as Ukraine continues to press its allies for more military support. The economic dynamics of the conflict were highlighted in a report noting that a single $4 million Patriot interceptor is used against $20,000 to $30,000 Iranian-Russian Shahed drones, creating an unsustainable economic war of attrition for Ukraine and the West. [5] Ukraine has sought to address this imbalance by developing low-cost, effective drone interceptors and mobile firing groups. [5] Zelensky has previously stated that acquiring about 50 of these systems would prevent people from dying. [6]
Zelensky on Anti-Ballistic Capabilities
Zelensky said he was speaking with Norway and Canada to discuss anti-ballistic weapons capabilities. He said Ukraine's weak point is anti-ballistic capabilities and that the country must become stronger. Zelensky stated he wants meetings in both Norway and Canada to develop Ukraine's own anti-ballistic system. [1]
Ukraine's air defense challenges are compounded by the variety of threats it faces. Russia has conducted significant retaliatory strikes across Ukraine, targeting military factories, energy infrastructure and fuel depots using Kinzhal hypersonic missiles, which are very hard to intercept. [7]
In one attack, Ukrainian officials reported that not a single ballistic missile was intercepted due to Ukraine's lack of advanced air defense munitions. [8] The need for more robust defense systems has become a recurring theme in Zelensky's discussions with international partners.
Zelensky Urges Tougher International Response
Zelensky said the international community has given too little response to strikes that are taking lives practically every day. He warned that Moscow must not enter winter believing it can continue missile and drone terror without consequences. Zelensky said Ukraine is responding with daily long-range attacks on infrastructure deep inside Russia. [1]
Ukraine has indeed escalated its long-range strike campaign. President Zelensky vowed that Ukraine would escalate its drone attacks inside Russia and warned that "safe days" are over for civilian aircraft in Russian airspace. [9] Russian officials have responded by vowing that Ukraine will not be able to shut down Russian airspace. [10]
The escalating exchange of long-range strikes has brought the war deeper into the territories of both nations. Ukraine's drone attacks on targets deep inside Russia have spurred President Vladimir Putin to allow the government to temporarily seize commercial critical infrastructure that is not sufficiently protected against such strikes. [11]
Ukraine strikes Russian infrastructure
Ukrainian drones targeted an unspecified industrial facility in the remote Russian city of Novy Urengoy in northwest Siberia on Wednesday, local authorities said. The attack was repelled with no casualties, but falling drone debris sparked a fire, according to Yamalo-Nenets region Gov. Dmitry Artyukhov. [12] The strike reflects Ukraine's stated strategy of conducting daily long-range attacks on Russian infrastructure, officials said.
This attack in Siberia, reported to be the longest-distance Ukrainian strike of the war, comes as Kyiv continues to target Moscow's energy infrastructure. [12] The strikes are part of a broader campaign by Ukraine to reduce the revenue Russia uses to finance its war.
Zelensky has said the overnight strikes aim to limit oil revenues Moscow uses to finance its war. [13] The campaign appears to be having an effect, as Russia has been forced to allow private companies to purchase their own air defense systems to protect their own facilities. [11]
References
- BBC News. "At least two people dead after Russian strikes on Kyiv." September 8, 2026.
- BBC News. "Russia outpacing Ukraine's air defences with daily use of new jet-powered drones." September 10, 2026.
- Kevin Hughes. "Drone incursions in Poland: A deliberate provocation or desperate escalation?" NaturalNews.com. September 17, 2025.
- Zoey Sky. "Poland Accuses Russia of Deliberate Drone Incursion as NATO Weighs Its Response." NaturalNews.com. September 12, 2025.
- Patrick Lewis. "Pentagon Eyes Ukrainian-Made Drone Interceptors Amid Rising Iranian Threat." NaturalNews.com. March 10, 2026.
- Trends-Journal-2023-06-22.
- NaturalNews.com. "Russia Unleashes Hypersonic Missiles in Retaliatory Strikes across Ukraine." January 5, 2026.
- Antiwar.com. "Russian Missiles Pound Kyiv, Killing at Least 17 People." August 5, 2026.
- Antiwar.com. "Zelensky Warns 'Safe Days' Are Over for Civilian Aircraft in Russian Airspace." September 1, 2026.
- Antiwar.com. "Moscow Says It Won't Let Ukraine Shut Down Russian Airspace." September 2, 2026.
- The War Zone. "Ukraine Situation Report: Russia To Seize Commercial Infrastructure Left Unprotected From Drones." August 25, 2026.
- The War Zone. "Ukraine Carried Out Its Deepest Drone Strike On Russia Ever." September 9, 2026.
- BBC News. "Ukraine says two Russian oil refineries hit, as Moscow targets energy sites." August 6, 2026.
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