Volodymyr Zelenskyy's plane was "almost hit by a drone" as the Ukrainian president travelled to Norway for the funeral of King Harald V, according to the country's prime minister.
Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre said the incident happened as Zelenskyy's aircraft was preparing to take off from Moldova on Tuesday. He described it as a stark reminder of the dangers faced by the Ukrainian leader as he travels around the world seeking support for his country's war against Russia.
"His plane was almost hit by a drone as it was about to take off from Moldova," Mr Støre told Norwegian broadcaster NRK. No further details have been released about how close the drone came to the aircraft, and Mr Støre did not say where he obtained the information.
Funeral visit and defence talks
Zelenskyy travelled to Oslo to attend the state funeral of King Harald V, who died last month aged 89 after 35 years on the Norwegian throne. The Ukrainian president also met with Mr Støre during his visit, with the pair discussing Ukraine's air defence and European efforts to develop alternatives to the US-made Patriot missile system.
They were joined by defence companies involved in the FREYJA initiative, which aims to develop a European anti-ballistic missile defence system. The meeting came as Zelenskyy renewed calls for the international community to increase pressure on Russia.
Call for stronger international response
He said sanctions and diplomatic efforts to isolate Moscow had so far failed to stop the invasion, while Russian missile and drone attacks continue to kill and injure civilians in Ukraine.
"Unfortunately, there has been too little response from the international community to these strikes, which are taking people's lives practically every day," Zelenskyy said on social media. "But a response is needed. Moscow must not go into the winter believing that it can get away with missile and drone terror without consequences."
The United Nations said last month that Russian aerial attacks killed or wounded more Ukrainian civilians in July than in any month since March 2022. A total of 437 people were killed and more than 2,600 injured during the month, according to the UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine.
More than 16,800 Ukrainian civilians have been killed and more than 51,000 wounded since Russia launched its full-scale invasion, the UN says. Moscow has consistently denied targeting civilians, claiming its attacks are directed at military-related facilities.
King Harald's funeral in Oslo
Zelenskyy was among a host of foreign dignitaries in Oslo on Wednesday as Norway said a final farewell to King Harald. Thousands of people lined the streets of the Norwegian capital for the solemn procession, which saw the king's coffin carried from the Royal Palace to Oslo Cathedral.
A 21-gun salute marked the start of the procession, while members of the Norwegian royal family followed behind the coffin, which was draped in the country's red royal standard. Harald's son and successor, King Haakon VIII, walked behind his father's coffin alongside other senior royals.
Queen Sonja, Harald's widow, and Queen Mette-Marit followed in a car. The funeral was attended by royals from across Europe, including the monarchs of Sweden, Denmark, Spain, the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, Monaco and Jordan.
Britain's Prince William and Japan's Crown Prince Akishino were also among the guests, along with political leaders and dignitaries from more than 20 countries. Harald, who was 89 when he died, was remembered as a popular and down-to-earth monarch who reigned for 35 years. His coffin was later taken to Akershus Fortress, where he was laid to rest in the royal crypt.
