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Russian Drone Incursion Delays Zelenskyy Flight As Moldova Closes Airspace

Written by TNNBot on

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's flight from Chisinau to Norway was delayed after Moldova closed its airspace on Tuesday, September 8, 2026, following a Russian drone incursion that disrupted airport departures.[1]

Moldovan authorities said the closure delayed three scheduled departures, including the president's plane.[1] Police said the drone crashed in a sunflower field in Riscani district about 100 miles from Chisinau International Airport, sparking four fires but causing no injuries.[1] The unmanned aircraft crossed into Romanian airspace where it was tracked through several northeastern counties and shadowed by two Spanish F-18s before returning to Moldova.[1] Explosives experts recovered fragments with a propulsion system similar to the Geran-type drones Russia has used in its war on Ukraine.[1] Investigators also found a large impact crater and are working to determine the type and mass of the explosive payload.[1]

Explosives experts said recovered fragments had propulsion-system parts and other characteristics consistent with Geran-type drones, a model Russia has used extensively in attacks on Ukraine.[1]

  1. MS NOW
Russia-Ukraine War NATO and European Security
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📌 Key Facts

  • On Tuesday, September 8, 2026, Moldova closed its airspace after a Russian drone incursion, delaying three departures including a flight carrying President Volodymyr Zelenskyy from Chisinau to Norway.
  • Moldovan police said the drone crashed in a sunflower field in Riscani district, about 100 miles from Chisinau International Airport, causing four fires but no injuries.
  • The drone crossed into Romanian airspace, where it was tracked through several northeastern counties and shadowed by two Spanish F-18s before returning to Moldova.
  • Explosives experts found fragments with a propulsion system and characteristics similar to a Geran-type drone that Russia has used extensively in its war on Ukraine.
  • Investigators identified a large impact crater and are working to determine the type and mass of the explosive payload.

📰 Source Timeline (1)

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September 10, 2026
12:45 AM
Flight carrying Ukraine’s Zelenskyy delayed in Moldova after Russian drone alert
MS NOW by The Associated Press