Acting Minister of Defense about drone crashed near Copanca: Detection by radars depends on distance, altitude and terrain features

Acting Minister of Defense Anatolie Nosatîi said that the Shahed-type drone which illegally flew through the airspace of the Republic of Moldova and exploded near the locality of Copanca, Căușeni district, was not detected by radars due to several technical factors, such as flight altitude, distance from the radar, and terrain features.


“Detection by radars depends on several factors, such as the distance from the radar, the flight altitude, as well as the terrain where it is located,” Anatolie Nosatîi explained before today’s Government meeting.


The official specified that the aircraft identified following the attacks of the Russian Federation on the Odesa region is a Shahed-type drone, and that state institutions acted in accordance with established procedures for documenting the incident and ensuring the security of citizens.


“As a result of the attacks carried out by the Russian Federation against Ukraine’s civilian infrastructure, in recent days we have recorded the illegal overflight of the airspace of the Republic of Moldova. State institutions acted in accordance with national legislation,” the minister said.


Nosatîi underlined that as long as the Russian Federation continues its attacks on Ukraine, the Republic of Moldova remains exposed to security risks, including through violations of its airspace.


“As long as the Russian Federation continues to attack the territory of the neighboring country, this represents a danger for the Republic of Moldova, which has been demonstrated in recent days by the violation of our airspace,” the minister noted.


According to him, the Republic of Moldova must continue investing in the development of the national air defense system. A new radar is to be delivered in the next quarter and will become operational in the first half of 2026.


“The Republic of Moldova must continue to invest in the development of the national air defense system,” said Anatolie Nosatîi.


The minister also stated that the drones recently detected pose an increased risk, as the Russian Federation is believed to be continually improving their explosive components.


“Yesterday’s drone posed a risk, just like the others. We see that the Russian Federation continues to improve the explosive part, equipping these drones with more objects that could increase the destruction radius,” Nosatîi said.


At the same time, the minister urged citizens not to approach unknown objects found on the territory of the Republic of Moldova and to immediately notify the authorities.


“Do not approach these objects. Please inform the Police, and we will take all the necessary measures to ensure the security of citizens,” Anatolie Nosatîi said.


Asked by journalists whether he would like another term as minister, the defense chief said it was too early to answer this question and stressed that it is up to the designated candidate for prime minister to form their team.

On the night of July 13, at 01:03, the Air Operations Service of the National Army detected a Gheran-2 (Shahed-136) drone that is believed to have entered the airspace of the Republic of Moldova following Russian air attacks on the Odesa region. The aircraft exploded near the village of Copanca, Căușeni district, and the case is being investigated by the competent authorities.

Since the beginning of the war in Ukraine, the airspace of the Republic of Moldova has been illegally overflown more than 40 times. The authorities in Chișinău have submitted protest notes to the designated ambassador of the Russian Federation, emphasizing that although the drones do not directly target the Republic of Moldova, their trajectories – associated with attacks on Ukraine – pose an increased risk to national security.