World · Europe · 4 hrs ago
Moldova records five drone airspace violations overnight
Moldova's Defence Ministry recorded five drone incursions in less than seven hours overnight and on Friday morning.
The drones crossed into Moldova from Ukraine and were spotted in the country's north and southeast.
The incursions happened during Russian attacks on Ukraine, which borders Moldova.
One account said none of the drones fell or exploded, while another said a drone fell and exploded and that officials were investigating.
The accounts differ on whether there was an explosion, and the available details do not explain the discrepancy.
Such incursions raise concerns about Moldova's airspace as the war continues next door.
Officials are investigating the reported crash, but no further findings are given.
Moldova’s Defence Ministry recorded five unauthorised drone airspace incursions in less than seven hours overnight and on the morning of October 16.
The incidents occurred in northern and south-eastern Moldova as Russia carried out large-scale attacks on Ukraine, according to the report.
The first incursion was recorded at 23:02, and the last at 06:09.
The drones entered from Ukraine and left Moldovan airspace shortly afterward.
No falls or explosions were reported in connection with the five incidents.
- Who
- Moldova’s Defence Ministry recorded the incidents; the drones’ operators are not stated.
- What
- Five unauthorised drone incursions into Moldovan airspace were recorded.
- When
- Overnight and on the morning of October 16; the first was at 23:02 and the last at 06:09.
- Where
- Northern and south-eastern Moldova, with the drones entering from Ukrainian territory.
- Why
- The incursions occurred amid large-scale Russian attacks on Ukraine; the reason for the flights is not stated.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
The first drone crossed into Moldova from the direction of Timkove in Ukraine’s Odesa region and left Moldovan airspace 18 minutes later.
A drone entered from the direction of Starokozache in Ukraine and returned to Ukraine a minute later.
Another aircraft crossed the border from the direction of Mohyliv-Podilskyi and left Moldova two minutes later.
A drone entered from the direction of Starokozache and left Moldova a minute later.
The same drone crossed into Moldova again near Purcari and left a minute later toward Ukraine.
- Incursions
- 5 unauthorised entries
- Period
- Less than seven hours
- First incident
- 23:02
- Last incident
- 06:09
- Locations
- Northern and south-eastern Moldova
- Reported consequences
- No falls or explosions were reported in connection with these incidents.