Russian drone violates Moldovan airspace during mass aerial barrage on Ukraine

On August 10, a Russian drone launched from Odesa Oblast in Ukraine breached Moldovan airspace, according to the Newsmaker report. Local radars detected the intruder at 11:41 PM in the Stepanivka village, which lies on the Ukrainian border. The UAV ventured over Priozerne, a Moldovan village located in the Slobozia district, before exiting Moldovan territory a minute later and returning to Ukrainian soil.

The Ministry of Defense identified the drone as a Geran-3 model, characterized by its jet-powered design. Meanwhile, Ukrainian Telegram channels reported the movement of a suspected Russian combat drone along the Moldovan border the same day. This drone, exhibiting missile-like features, detonated near the village of Crocmaz in Moldova’s Ștefan Vodă district around 8 a.m. on August 9.

The explosion caused damage to several private properties, but fortunately, no one was injured. Authorities found drone fragments scattered across a vast area, with the aircraft believed to have collided with a tree at a low altitude, approximately 2.5 meters (8 feet), after colliding with a tree. This marks the first documented incident of a Russian attack drone crossing into Moldovan airspace.

The incident occurred following a massive overnight assault on August 9, which targeted Odesa Oblast, resulting in 14 injuries and damage to homes and energy infrastructure. Ukrainian Air Force reports indicate that Russia employed various weapons, including Banderol loitering munitions. Previously, fragments of Russian Geran drones have been discovered in Moldova, raising concerns over the escalating conflict in the region.