Russian Drone Delays Zelensky Flight 1 Hour in Moldova as Airspace Shuts
Updated
Updated · bbc.co.uk · Sep 10
Russian Drone Delays Zelensky Flight 1 Hour in Moldova as Airspace Shuts
3 articles · Updated · bbc.co.uk · Sep 10
Summary
Around 16:30 in Chisinau, Volodymyr Zelensky’s plane sat on the runway for about an hour after a Russian drone crossed into Moldovan airspace before his flight to Oslo.
Moldova immediately closed its airspace, delaying three departures and four arrivals, and cleared the flight only after authorities said the drone had crashed and exploded 160 km from the airport.
The Kremlin said there had been no threat to Zelensky’s jet, while a Ukrainian source told AFP earlier concerns had been exaggerated despite initial alarm in Norway and Moldova.
The incident came as Russian drone attacks intensify: BBC Verify found Kyiv is now averaging 10 air raid alerts a day, and Ukraine says it answered with a record 3,000-km strike on Russian gas facilities.