On December 21, 2022, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky undertook his first trip abroad since Russia’s full-scale invasion – a journey executed with military-level secrecy.
The operation began after Zelensky visited Bakhmut on December 20, signaling the upcoming mission. He then traveled overnight by train to Przemyśl, Poland, accompanied by U.S. Ambassador Bridget Brink and security personnel, because Ukraine’s airspace was too risky for direct flights due to Russian missile threats.
From Poland, Zelensky boarded a U.S. Air Force Boeing C-40B at Rzeszów-Jasionka Airport, a key logistics hub for NATO aid to Ukraine. The flight was protected by a NATO reconnaissance aircraft scanning the North Sea for Russian submarines and an F-15 fighter jet escort from a U.S. base in England. The transatlantic leg lasted nearly 10 hours, landing at Joint Base Andrews near Washington around noon local time.
Security protocols were extraordinary: encrypted communications, decoy strategies, and multi-agency coordination ensured the route remained undisclosed until Zelensky was airborne.
The visit had been planned for months but finalized only after a December 11 call with President Biden, with confirmation coming three days later. The secrecy reflected the stakes.
Zelensky’s mission was to secure advanced U.S. weapons, including Patriot air-defense systems, and reinforce bipartisan support for Ukraine ahead of a $45 billion aid vote in Congress.
