Against the backdrop of intensified Russian air attacks on Ukraine, data monitored by the Air Operations Service of the National Army show an increase in incidents during 2026, directly affecting the air security of the Republic of Moldova. Looking back at the situation, between 2022 and 2026, Moldovan airspace was violated in 81 cases involving Russian- and Iranian-made missiles and drones, including decoy drones, TRIBUNA reports.

The annual distribution of incidents is as follows: 2022 — 4 incidents; 2023 — 6; 2024 — 10; 2025 — 17; 2026 — 44 cases (through September 24, inclusive).

By type of object involved, the incidents break down as follows: 45 drones, 12 decoy drones, 6 missiles, 17 cases involving the identification of drone and missile fragments, and one object resembling a balloon.

As for the consequences, more than 50 illegal overflights without impact on the ground were recorded, along with 17 cases in which objects were identified on the ground without causing damage, and 13 cases resulting in explosions. In more than 10 situations, the airspace had to be closed because of the danger posed to civil aviation.

The illegal flying objects crossed virtually all regions of the country. However, the highest concentration of incidents was recorded in localities and districts near the border with Ukraine. Areas with the highest number of cases included localities in the Autonomous Territorial Unit of Gagauzia, the districts of Ștefan Vodă, Căușeni, Soroca, Edineț, Briceni, Bălți, and other northern districts, as well as localities in eastern Moldova.

In some of these cases, the military-origin aerial objects were not detected by the surveillance systems operated by the National Army because they flew at an altitude that prevented them from being detected and recorded by the available airspace monitoring equipment.

“For this reason, investments in modern equipment for the surveillance, detection, and neutralization of aerial threats are vital to strengthening national defense capabilities. The costs of potential incidents with serious consequences, including for critical infrastructure and the security of citizens, could exceed by hundreds of times the investments required to develop the National Army’s capabilities in advance. Investments in defense contribute both to increasing deterrence capabilities and to providing the means necessary to protect our airspace and the citizens of our country,” the Ministry of Defense said.