Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says Russian drones twice targeted his presidential aircraft while he was travelling through Moldova in recent weeks.
Zelenskyy made the allegation in an interview with CBS News, saying the incidents occurred during his outward and return journeys through Chișinău.
“In Moldova, my presidential jet was there, and that’s why they attacked Moldova,” Zelenskyy said.
The first incident occurred on September 9 as Zelenskyy travelled to Oslo.
Moldova temporarily closed its airspace after two Russian drones entered the country, delaying the Ukrainian president’s departure.
One drone landed in a field and caused a fire, while another continued into Romanian airspace.
Zelenskyy has now revealed a second incident during his return journey through Chișinău.
He told CBS that one or two drones again entered Moldovan airspace and argues that the incursions were part of a Russian campaign intended to intimidate him and other foreign leaders.
There is an important distinction between the confirmed drone incursions and Zelenskyy’s allegation about their intended target.
Russian drones did enter Moldovan airspace during the first journey, and Reuters reports another incursion occurred on September 14.
But intentional targeting of Zelenskyy’s aircraft has not been independently established.
The incidents nevertheless underline the growing risk of the war spilling into neighbouring European airspace.
Sources
- CBS News – Zelenskyy says Russia targeted his plane twice with drones
- Reuters – Zelenskyy says Russian drones entered Moldova twice while he was in transit
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