Moldova records 44 airspace violation incidents in 2026

Moldova has recorded 44 airspace violation incidents since the beginning of 2026, according to data monitored by the Air Operations Service of the National Army. The number of cases is increasing compared with previous years.

According to the Defense Ministry, between 2022 and 2026, the airspace of Moldova was violated in 81 cases involving Russian- and Iranian-made missiles and drones, including decoy drones.

According to data from the National Army, four incidents were recorded in 2022, six in 2023, 10 in 2024, 17 in 2025, and 44 cases during the first nearly nine months of 2026.

By type of object involved, of the total number of incidents during the analyzed period, 45 involved drones, 12 involved decoy drones, six involved missiles, and 17 involved fragments of drones and missiles. Another incident involved an object resembling a balloon.

As for the consequences, more than 50 illegal overflights were recorded without impact on the ground, 17 cases involved objects that were identified on the ground without causing damage, and 13 situations resulted in explosions. In more than 10 cases, the airspace was temporarily closed due to the danger posed to civil aviation.

The aerial objects were reported in more regions of the country, with most incidents recorded in localities and districts near the border with Ukraine. The areas mentioned include localities in the Autonomous Territorial Unit of Gagauzia, the districts of Stefan Voda, Causeni, Soroca, Edinet and Briceni, as well as the municipality of Balti and other districts in the north and east of the country.

The National Army says that, in some cases, military-origin aerial objects were not detected by existing surveillance systems, because they flew at altitudes that prevented their detection and recording by airspace monitoring equipment.

In the context, the authorities emphasize the need for investments in modern equipment to monitor, detect and neutralize aerial threats.