A Russian Drone Delayed Ukrainian President Zelenskyy’s Plane In Moldova As War Escalates

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's plane avoided being hit by a Russian drone in Moldova.

CNN reported that the drone entered Moldova's airspace and delayed Zelenskyy's departure. The country closed its airspace after the drone was detected in the vicinity of Chișinău International Airport while Zelenskyy's plane was preparing for departure.

Reports state that the drone ultimately exploded about 100 miles from the airport.

U.S. Moldovan ambassador Vladislav Kulminski told the outlet that the country did not believe the incident was an accident. "We do not believe in jet-propelled drones just flying into Moldova's territory for surveillance purposes while [the] Ukrainian president's airplane is on the ground at the airport," Kulminski told CNN.

However, Kulminski also said that the country could not say whether the drone was specifically sent to the area to target Zelenskyy. But, he said it was known that Zelensky uses Moldovan airspace for foreign visits.

Incursions by Russian drones into the airspace of surrounding European nations have increasingly become a concern.

Earlier this year, the U.S. military acknowledged that there had been increasing Russian drone activity into Europe and NATO airspace since 2024. Military officials believe that the drone activity likely mapped vulnerabilities and probed for easy military and civilian targets as a possible expansion of the Russian-Ukraine war.

"The modern threat has erased the idea of a safe haven," said Col. Victoria Habas, director for integrated air and missile defense planning and programs stated. "Inexpensive and highly adaptable (drone) technology can hold any installation or operating location at risk."

In response to the drone incursions, the U.S. has begun deploying the Compact Laser Weapon System at various undisclosed locations around Europe. The military described the system as a directed-energy weapon that would be part of air.