Norwegian PM says Zelenskyy's plane was almost hit by a drone during takeoff from Moldova
Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre told NRK that a plane carrying Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was almost struck by a drone when departing Moldova for Oslo on September 8, 2026. Moldovan authorities confirmed that Zelenskyy's departure was delayed because airspace was closed due to two Russian drones entering Moldovan airspace, but Ukraine and Moldova pushed back on the characterization that the plane was nearly hit. Zelenskyy was traveling to attend the funeral of King Harald V of Norway and subsequently continued to Canada for talks on air defense support.
33
Divergence score
This event sits in the top 17% of divergence this week. 13 outlets covered it, splitting into 12 framing camps across 4 bias groups.
12 camps
4 bias groups
The spectrum · how 13 outlets placed this story
LeftCenterRight
Breitbart
CNN
Deutsche Welle
Fox News
The Guardian
Al Jazeera
South China Morning Post
Financial Times
Washington Times
Bloomberg
NY Post
Reuters
NBC News
Supportive of action
Neutral
Dismissive
Critical
Alarmist
International angle
Widest split · the two outlets furthest apart, and who published first
Furthest apart on this story
Breitbart
Zelensky's Private Jet 'Nearly Hit By a Drone', Says Norwegian Prime Minister
near-assassination narrative with F-16 offer detail · negative
CNN
Russian drone alert delayed Zelensky's departure for Norway, Moldova says
airspace closure as precautionary delay · neutral
First to report
- CNNfirst
- Reuters+2.7 h
- Al Jazeera+4.3 h
- South China Morning Post+6.5 h
- Financial Times+7.1 h
- NBC News+9.9 h
- Fox News+10.6 h
- NY Post+13.8 h
- Bloomberg+15.4 h
- The Guardian+17.5 h
- Deutsche Welle+18.4 h
- Washington Times+20.0 h
By each outlet's earliest publish time in this story. Feeds that index slowly can appear later than they printed.
Headlines that changed · the same article, re-listed with a new headline
The Guardian · 2026-09-10 16:29 UTC
Russian drones kill at least nine in strikes targeting warehouses and ports in Ukraine – Europe live
Financial Times · 2026-09-10 19:40 UTC
Drone almost struck Zelenskyy’s plane, says Ukraine - Financial Times
Financial Times · 2026-09-10 20:26 UTC
Drone almost struck Zelenskyy’s plane, says Ukraine - ft.com
Financial Times · 2026-09-11 05:56 UTC
Drone almost struck Zelenskyy’s plane, says Ukraine - Financial Times
Financial Times · 2026-09-11 07:15 UTC
Drone almost struck Zelenskyy’s plane, says Ukraine - ft.com
The split, in one line
Norwegian officials emphasize the plane was nearly hit while Moldova and Ukraine call the account exaggerated, framing it as a routine airspace closure. Outlets split between assassination attempt implications and precautionary delay.
How each outlet covered it
Broad agreement on what happened
Outlets across the spectrum land in roughly the same place: the shared language is highlighted.
THE LEFT
“Russia's actions have strengthened European case for boosting defence spending, says Nato chief – as it happened”G The Guardian LEFT
33LOW DIVERGENCE
THE RIGHT
“Drone nearly strikes Zelenskyy's plane before takeoff for Norwegian king's funeral, PM says”FOX Fox News RIGHT
DOWN THE MIDDLE
“Ukraine's Zelenskyy arrives in Canada seeking air support” · Deutsche Welle, Al Jazeera, South China Morning Post, Bloomberg, Reuters
+Hide the full sourcingSee how all 13 outlets put it
LEFT2
CNNCNN Russian drone alert delayed Zelensky's departure for Norway, Moldova says 2d ago GThe Guardian Russia's actions have strengthened European case for boosting defence spending, says Nato chief – as it happened 1d ago LEFT-CENTER1
NBCNBC News Flight carrying Zelenskyy to Norway was delayed in Moldova because of drone incursion 2d ago CENTER2
BLBloomberg Zelenskyy's Plane Almost Struck by a Drone, Norwegian PM Says 1d ago RReuters Drone alert delays Zelenskiy flight; Iceland stop en route to Canada 2d ago RIGHT-CENTER1
FTFinancial Times Drone almost struck Zelenskyy's plane, says Ukraine - Financial Times 2d ago RIGHT4
BBreitbart Zelensky's Private Jet 'Nearly Hit By a Drone', Says Norwegian Prime Minister 1d ago FOXFox News Drone nearly strikes Zelenskyy's plane before takeoff for Norwegian king's funeral, PM says 2d ago WTWashington Times Zelenskyy visits Canada to seek further military support for Ukraine 1d ago NYPNY Post Drone nearly strikes Zelensky's plane before takeoff for Norwegian king's funeral, PM says 1d ago INTERNATIONAL3
DWDeutsche Welle Ukraine's Zelenskyy arrives in Canada seeking air support 1d ago AJAl Jazeera Zelenskyy's plane 'almost hit' by drone on way to Oslo, Norwegian PM says 2d ago SCSouth China Morning Post Ukraine leader Zelensky's plane almost hit by drone on way to Oslo, Norway PM says 2d ago 10 tracked claims across 13 outlets
Fact ledger
All10Disputed1Claimed2Corroborated7
2/13
Disputed
The drone posed a direct threat to Zelenskyy's plane
Corroborated
Disputed
9 more tracked claimsSign up free to see the full ledger