Kyiv — In an exclusive interview with CBS News on Tuesday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy revealed that his aircraft was targeted by Russian forces on two separate occasions in the past few weeks.
Zelenskyy stated, “When I was in Moldova, my presidential jet was present, which is why they launched an attack on Moldova. Upon our return home, as we passed through Chisinau, they attempted the same.”
Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre had previously noted that Zelenskyy’s plane was “almost struck” by a drone in Moldovan airspace as he departed for Oslo on September 9, emphasizing, “This is the reality he faces.”
During the interview, Zelenskyy disclosed that during his return flight to Ukraine a few days later, one or two drones entered Moldovan airspace, a detail that had not been reported before.
Ukrainian officials later confirmed that all members of the presidential entourage were unharmed, though it remained unclear whether the drone incidents were deliberate. Zelenskyy characterized these actions as part of a broader Russian strategy aimed at instilling fear in him and other international leaders.
On Sunday, a Russian drone targeted a passenger train that was transporting foreign dignitaries, including high-ranking European officials and former CIA Director David Petraeus, near the Polish border, necessitating an evacuation.
Zelenskyy commented on the incident, stating, “Perhaps they were unaware that some Americans were onboard, or conversely, they were fully aware. I don’t trust them; I believe they knew.” He added, “Given that a significant delegation of Europeans and Americans was on that train, it seems they chose to attack.”
In recent months, there has been a noticeable increase in unidentified drones, some linked to Russia, entering European airspace. According to The Associated Press, NATO fighter jets engaged and shot down a drone in Lithuanian airspace for the first time on Tuesday, as reported by Lithuanian military officials.
