Zelensky: Russia Twice Targeted His Presidential Plane Over Moldova

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky disclosed in an interview with CBS News that Russia targeted his presidential aircraft on two separate occasions during recent visits to Moldova.

"My presidential plane was in Moldova, and that's exactly why they attacked Moldova. When we were returning home again through Chisinau, they did the same," Zelensky stated.

Russia's Intimidation Strategy

Zelensky described the incidents as part of a deliberate Russian strategy aimed at intimidating him and other foreign leaders. He referenced the September 13 drone strike on a locomotive at the Yagodin border crossing on the Ukraine-Poland frontier. Former CIA Director David Petraeus was aboard a separate train at Yagodin station at the moment of the attack.

"Maybe they didn't know Americans were there, or maybe they did — because I don't trust them. I think they knew," the president said.

Earlier Incident Over Moldova

Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Stoere had already revealed on September 9 that a drone nearly struck Zelensky's aircraft as it departed Moldova for Oslo. Moldova had partially closed its airspace over Chisinau due to a Russian drone — believed to be a Shahed-type UAV — that had entered its territory and later crashed in a field.