This year, the number of airspace violations of the Republic of Moldova has reached 44, more than double compared to the previous year and almost 11 times over the level of 2022. The data was presented by the Ministry of Defense, reports IPN.

In total, since the beginning of the war in Ukraine, 81 cases of unauthorized overflight of national airspace have been recorded. The incidents involved Russian and Iranian-made missiles and drones, including decoy drones. The annual distribution shows a steady increase: 4 incidents in 2022, 6 in 2023, 10 in 2024, 17 in 2025, and 44 in 2026. In total, there were 45 drones, 12 decoy drones and 6 missiles, and in 17 cases, fragments of drones or missiles were identified on the ground. Another case involved an object similar to a balloon.

According to the Ministry of Defense, in over 50 cases, objects have illegally flown over the airspace without reaching the ground, and in 17 cases they have crashed without causing damage. 13 incidents resulted in explosions, and in over 10 cases the airspace was temporarily closed due to the risk to civil aviation.

Incidents have been recorded in all regions of the country, with a higher concentration in towns and districts near the border with Ukraine. Among the mentioned areas are UTA Gagauzia, Stefan Voda, Causeni, Soroca, Edinet and Briceni districts, the city of Balti, other northern districts, as well as localities in the eastern part of the country.

The Ministry of Defense clarifies that some aerial objects of military origin could not be detected by the existing surveillance systems, because they flew at a low altitude. In this context, the institution asserts that investments in equipment for surveillance, detection, and neutralization of aerial threats are necessary for strengthening defense capabilities and protecting the airspace and citizens.