Russian UAV activity associated with the 24 September large-scale strike against Ukraine also affected neighbouring airspace. Several drones entered Moldovan airspace, while at least one additional track crossed Romanian territory before crashing near Solca in Suceava County. Moldovan authorities recovered UAV wreckage reportedly consistent with the Russian Gerbera type. Romanian authorities activated air-policing procedures and fighter aircraft in response.
The incidents further illustrate the exposure of NATO and non-NATO neighbouring states to spillover from Russia’s long-range UAV campaign and the growing operational burden placed on regional air-surveillance and counter-UAS architectures.
Source: Moldovan authorities; Romanian Ministry of National Defence; independent reporting by Radio Free Europe/Europa Liberă, Agerpres and specialist defence monitoring.