Moldova's Ministry of Defense reported an unauthorized drone flight over the country's airspace early Thursday during a massive Russian air attack on Ukraine.
The unmanned aerial vehicle entered Moldovan airspace at 1:43 a.m. on October 15, flying from the direction of Hradenytsi in Ukraine's Odesa region toward the village of Purcari in Moldova's Ștefan Vodă district. At 1:51 a.m., eight minutes later, the drone exited Moldovan airspace and returned toward Starokozache in the Odesa region of Ukraine, according to a statement from Moldova's Air Operations Service.
The flight occurred as Russia conducted widespread air strikes against Ukrainian targets. Moldova's defense ministry said the Air Operations Service continues to monitor the country's airspace in coordination with competent authorities and international partners.
The incident marks another reported violation of Moldova's airspace amid the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine. The country, which borders Ukraine to the west, has previously reported unauthorized flights and airspace incursions during Russian military operations.