Key facts
- Four Russian drones entered Moldovan airspace overnight.
- The drones returned to Ukraine after crossing into Moldova.
- Moldova announced plans to build border shelters on Oct. 7.
Moldova's Defense Ministry reported on October 16 that four Russian drones violated its airspace overnight during Russian attacks against Ukraine. The first three drones crossed into Moldovan territory between 11:02 p.m. on Oct. 15 and 3:46 a.m. on Oct. 16, before returning to Ukraine. A fourth drone entered and exited Moldovan airspace between 5:59 a.m. and 6:09 a.m. on Oct. 16 before turning back to Ukraine. These incidents highlight the increasing security risks to Moldova and the wider region due to the ongoing war in neighboring Ukraine. Moldova has previously reported drone and missile explosions on its territory and a projectile strike at a border crossing that lightly injured a guard.