Moldova says drone breaches endanger aviation

Moldova said Thursday that increased drone incidents are endangering aviation security after several drones violated its airspace, forcing a brief closure, and two exploded on its territory without injuries.

The defence ministry said there had been 81 breaches involving Russian and Iranian-made missiles and drones, including 44 this year. It said the increase “directly affects aviation security in Moldova” and that airspace had to be closed in more than 10 cases because of danger to civil aviation.

President Maia Sandu condemned the latest violations, writing on X: “Russia's war endangers all of Europe. We condemn this war and stand with Ukraine.”

Sandu said Monday that Moldova was working to strengthen its defence as drone incidents increase, calling the problem difficult even for more advanced and better-equipped armies.

Moldova said earlier this month that a plane carrying Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky from Chisinau to Oslo for the funeral of Norway's King Harald was delayed by an airspace breach, and Zelensky said another incident happened on his way home. Romania, a NATO member neighbouring Moldova and Ukraine, reported a drone crash near a northern village on Thursday.