Moldova’s airspace violated again: Shahed drone found in Dubăsari–Orhei area

The Air Operations Service of the National Army reported the detection of an unauthorized flight in the airspace of the Republic of Moldova on Monday evening by an unmanned aerial vehicle of the Shahed type. The incident was recorded on March 30, 2026, at 21:29, and was later confirmed by the Ukrainian authorities.

According to data provided by the air surveillance systems, the drone crossed the state border from the direction of the locality of Komarivka, Odesa region (Ukraine), entering the territory of the Republic of Moldova near the locality of Șipca. The aircraft was monitored as it flew over several localities, including Dubăsari and Orhei, moving north at an altitude of approximately 1,700 meters and at an estimated speed of 180 km/h.

In the context of ensuring flight safety, the Civil Aviation Authority applied standard procedures, temporarily restricting the airspace in the northern part of the country for a period of 15 minutes. Monitoring of the drone’s trajectory continued until 22:03, when it disappeared from the radar near the locality of Clișova in Orhei district.

The General Inspectorate for Emergency Situations and the Border Police of the Republic of Moldova were informed about this incident. After verifying safety conditions, the country’s airspace was fully reopened at 22:18.

The National Army stated that surveillance systems continue to monitor the airspace and that the institution is cooperating with national authorities and experts from neighboring countries to manage the situation. The authorities urge citizens to remain calm and to seek information from official sources, requesting that any observation of suspicious aircraft be reported immediately via the 112 Service.

The Republic of Moldova has faced several security challenges this month, caused by Russian attacks on Ukraine.

Thus, Parliament introduced a state of emergency in the energy sector for a period of 60 days, after the Isaccea–Vulcănești overhead power line was disconnected on the evening of Monday, March 23, following attacks on energy infrastructure in southern Ukraine. This line provides approximately 50% of the electricity needed by the Republic of Moldova. Under these conditions, the authorities activated alternative power supply routes, including the four 110 kV interconnection lines between Romania and Moldova.

Also this month, on the night of March 6–7, the Novodnestrovsk hydropower complex was targeted by a missile and drone attack, with the explosions causing a massive spill of technical oils and other petroleum products into the Dniester River. Four days later, on March 10, pollutant slicks were identified on the territory of the Republic of Moldova, and laboratory analyses carried out by the Environment Agency confirmed that maximum allowable concentrations had been exceeded.

Following the incident, the supply of drinking water was suspended in the municipality of Bălți and other localities, and fishing was banned on the stretch between Naslavcea and the Dubăsari reservoir. To manage the situation, the National Army was mobilized and the EU Civil Protection Mechanism was activated. At the same time, the Government introduced an environmental alert status on the Dniester basin for 15 days.

Over the last two years, the airspace of the Republic of Moldova has been violated by the unauthorized flight of dozens of drones. In March alone, at least three such incidents were reported, including in the Palanca area. The situation was particularly tense in November 2025, when the authorities reported several successive episodes, including a case in which up to six drones crossed the country’s airspace, and three incidents occurred within only nine days.

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 – represent a real risk to national security.