Zelenskyy’s near-miss in Moldova underscores push for 90% drone interception rate as Ukraine offers Germany its drone defense expertise

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s plane was nearly struck by a drone as it took off from Moldova on 8 September en route to Oslo for King Harald V’s funeral, Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store told public broadcaster NRK on 9 September. The incident, which Store described as illustrating “the reality he lives in,” came as Zelenskyy’s government races to meet a self-imposed target of shooting down more than 90% of Russian drones this autumn.

“His flight was almost hit by a drone when it was taking off from Moldova,” Store said, without specifying how close the drone came or the source of his information. Zelenskyy arrived safely in Oslo, where he held talks with Store and met defence industry executives to discuss advancing the European anti-ballistic system codenamed FREYJA. Source: Al Jazeera

The close call highlights the persistent drone threat that prompted Zelenskyy, on 30 August, to task Ukraine’s defence forces with achieving an interception rate “well above 90%” this autumn. In his nightly address, he noted that over the previous four days, Russia had used nearly 1,500 drones of all types, including approximately 800 jet-powered Shahed-type drones. “The most difficult task is intercepting the jet-powered ones,” Zelenskyy said. “Now, it is mainly our combat aircraft that protect against them. We are working to ensure we have the necessary interceptors.” Source: Ukrainska Pravda

Four Ukrainian companies have developed interceptor drones, with one company’s technology proving particularly successful, Zelenskyy said. On 6 September, he announced that 67 Ukrainian companies can now intercept jet-powered drones on a large scale, a significant ramp-up from the initial four firms. Defence Minister Yevhenii Khmara earlier reported that four potential interceptors capable of shooting down jet-powered Shahed drones had undergone field testing in Ukraine. Source: Ukrainska Pravda

Zelenskyy’s push for higher interception rates comes as Ukraine’s own drone strikes on Russian military infrastructure have led him to warn airlines that Russian airspace is becoming “completely unsafe.” In his 1 September address, he said, “Ukraine does not threaten civilian aviation as such – not a single civilian aircraft. It's simply that there will be drones in Russia's skies, and this must be taken into account.” He added that Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry would provide international organisations with full information about the dangers. Source: Ukrainska Pravda Source: Al Jazeera

Beyond the interception target, Zelenskyy has moved to export Ukraine’s hard-won drone-defense expertise. On 2 September, after Germany directly accused Russia of carrying out a hybrid attack at Leipzig airport in early August, Zelenskyy offered German Chancellor Friedrich Merz Ukraine’s help “with expertise, experience, or in other areas where Germany may need it.” The two leaders discussed a “Drone Deal” being finalised between Kyiv and Berlin, which Zelenskyy said “will certainly provide greater capabilities to protect both Germany and Ukraine.” Source: Ukrainska Pravda

Germany responded to the Leipzig incident by closing Russia’s consulate general in Bonn and the Russian House cultural centre in Berlin. Ukraine’s Ambassador to Germany, Oleksii Makeiev, said Kyiv works closely with Berlin to help counter Russian sabotage.

The near-miss over Moldova and the Leipzig hybrid attack underscore the expanding geographic reach of drone warfare. While in Oslo, Zelenskyy met defence industry leaders to discuss FREYJA, a European anti-ballistic system. “Protecting Europe’s skies is our shared responsibility,” he said. Source: Al Jazeera

As autumn sets in, Ukraine’s ability to scale up interceptor drone production and integrate German support will determine whether Zelenskyy can meet his 90% target – and whether the skies over both Ukraine and its neighbours become safer.