A flight carrying Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky from Moldova to Oslo was the subject of a drone alert during its journey, Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store said on Wednesday, though a Ukrainian presidential source described claims that the aircraft was directly at risk as “exaggerated”.

Zelensky travelled to Norway for the funeral of King Harald, where he also held talks with Norwegian leaders on military and civilian assistance for Ukraine before departing for Canada.

Norwegian PM Describes Drone Incident

Store told Norwegian public broadcaster NRK that Zelensky’s flight had narrowly avoided being hit by a drone while taking off from Moldova.

“His flight was almost hit by a drone when it was taking off from Moldova. That is the reality he lives in,” Store said.

The Norwegian Prime Minister did not provide further details about the incident or the circumstances surrounding the reported drone threat.

Ukrainian Source Offers Different Account

A source in the Ukrainian presidency, however, gave a more qualified description of what happened, saying an alert had been issued in Moldova after a Russian drone entered Moldovan and Romanian airspace.

“It was an alert in Moldova when a Russian (drone) entered Moldovan and Romanian airspace,” the source told AFP.

The source described as “exaggerated” claims that Zelensky himself or the aircraft carrying him had been directly at risk.

Zelensky Meets Norwegian Leaders In Oslo

Zelensky arrived in Oslo on Tuesday evening and held talks with Store, Finance Minister Jens Stoltenberg and Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide.

The discussions focused on Norwegian military assistance for Ukraine, including air-defence support, as well as civilian aid.

Zelensky Attends King Harald’s Funeral

On Wednesday, Zelensky joined other foreign dignitaries at the funeral of King Harald, who died on August 28 at the age of 89.

After the funeral, Zelensky left Norway for Canada, where he was scheduled to hold talks with leaders, Store told NRK.

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