• Zelenskyy's plane was almost hit by a drone during takeoff from Moldova.
• The incident occurred as he traveled to Norway for King Harald V's funeral.
• Norwegian PM emphasized the serious security risks that Zelenskyy faces.
• Moldovan authorities reported drone intrusions in the same airspace.
• Zelenskyy engaged in discussions on air defense initiatives in Norway.

A plane carrying Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy nearly collided with an unidentified drone while taking off from Moldova en route to Oslo for the funeral of King Harald V. Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store confirmed the incident during an interview, stating, “His plane was almost hit by a drone as it was about to take off from Moldova. That is the reality he is facing,” without providing specific details on how close the drone came to the aircraft, according to Al Jazeera and Reuters.

This incident reflects the heightened security threats faced by Zelenskyy amid the ongoing conflict with Russia. The Moldovan authorities reported incursions by two Russian drones into their airspace, leading to temporary suspensions of flights at Chisinau airport as part of a broader alert on Tuesday. Moldovan President Maia Sandu denounced these drone intrusions as a significant threat to public safety, while arrivals and departures at the airport were affected, as reported by India Times and South China Morning Post.

Upon arriving in Oslo, Zelenskyy engaged in discussions with Norwegian leaders regarding military aid and air defense initiatives, particularly focusing on the European anti-ballistic system known as FREYJA. He emphasized the importance of collaboration with defense companies for effective strategic outcomes; this meeting followed the nearly catastrophic drone encounter, which has underscored the ongoing dangers tied to his leadership in a war-torn region, according to CBS News and South China Morning Post.

Zelenskyy attended the king's funeral alongside numerous world dignitaries, underscoring the solidarity among nations amidst Ukraine’s plight. Following the memorial service, he left Norway to continue his discussions in Canada, highlighting both the international diplomatic efforts and the persistent risks he faces as the wartime leader of Ukraine, as noted by Al Jazeera and India Times.