A jet-powered drone nearly collided with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's aircraft on Tuesday, according to a Ukrainian official on board. The incident occurred as Zelenskyy was flying to Norway for the funeral of King Harald. Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre confirmed the close call, stating the plane was "almost hit" during takeoff from Moldova.

The drone, believed to be Russian-made Shahed-type, entered Moldovan airspace from Ukraine, prompting authorities to temporarily close the airspace. Moldovan officials reported the drone exploded near Mihăilenii Vechi, about 160km from Chișinău, after being tracked through Romania. The Ukrainian official suggested Zelenskyy offered the use of an F-16 fighter jet to intercept the drone.

No damage or casualties were reported, but the incident underscores ongoing risks from Russian drone strikes, which have increasingly crossed into neighboring countries. Investigations are underway, and the event follows recent peace talks involving US envoys in Moscow and Kyiv.