Key facts
- Russia attacked Moldova with drones twice when President Volodymyr Zelensky's plane was in the country, Zelensky said.
- Zelensky believes Russia may have been trying to scare him, not necessarily target him personally.
- A suspected Russian drone nearly hit Zelensky's plane as it departed Moldova on Sept. 8.
- Zelensky was traveling to Norway to meet Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store.
- An energy ceasefire announced by U.S. President Donald Trump on Sept. 14 is not in effect, Zelensky stated.
President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that Russia intentionally attacked Moldova with drones on two occasions when his presidential plane was in the country, suggesting the attacks may have been intended to intimidate him. In an interview with CBS News published on Sept. 15, Zelensky said, "So in Moldova, my presidential jet was there, and that's why they attacked Moldova." He added that Russia might not have wanted to attack him personally but agreed it was possible they wanted to scare him.
An unnamed source told the Kyiv Independent on Sept. 9 that a suspected Russian Shahed-type drone violated Moldovan and Romanian airspace on Sept. 8 and nearly struck Zelensky's plane as it was departing Moldova. Zelensky was en route to Norway to meet Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store before the funeral of King Harald V. Store confirmed the incident to Norwegian broadcaster NRK, stating, "His plane was nearly hit by a drone as it was taking off from Moldova. This is the reality he faces."
Zelensky also indicated that Russia conducted a similar action on his return trip through Chisinau, Moldova. "We didn't share it with media. Yes, but when we went back home, again, through Chisinau, they did the same... I don't trust them. I think that they knew," he said.
Furthermore, Zelensky commented on an energy ceasefire announced by U.S. President Donald Trump on Sept. 14, stating it is not in effect. He asserted that Russian President Vladimir Putin does not respect or negotiate with weak individuals, emphasizing Ukraine's policy of not attacking first.