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Drones invade Moldovan airspace 3 times in 1 day as Russia wages relentless attack against Ukraine
Confirmed
In Short: Drones invaded Moldova's airspace three separate times on September 30, as Russia launched a day-long attack against Ukraine, according to the Kyiv Independent.
Drones invaded Moldova's airspace three separate times on September 30, as Russia launched a day-long attack against Ukraine, according to the Kyiv Independent. The first breach occurred in the village of Lunga in the Dubasari district, part of Moldova's Russian-occupied Transnistria region, at around 10:26 a.m. local time.
Hours later, Moldova announced it had closed the airspace in its northern and central regions due to the presence of an unmanned aerial vehicle. A second drone was reported near Bender at about 5:40 a.m., and a third was detected crossing the border into Moldova from Ukraine's Vinnytsia Oblast at 8:45 p.m.
Overnight, Russia attacked regions across Ukraine with 188 drones, 86 of them jet-powered, as well as with Zircon, Onyx, and Iskander missiles, according to Ukraine's Air Force. The Air Force reported shooting down or suppressing five missiles and 155 drones.
Prime Minister Serhii Koretskyi stated that such a massive and combined attack had not occurred since the end of the last heating season. Neighboring Romania also responded to drone threats amid Russia's assault on Ukraine.
Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova warned that weapons factories in European countries producing arms for Ukraine are potential military targets for Russia. NATO spokesperson Allison Hart confirmed that Russia told NATO it would be ready to use nuclear weapons if alliance members attempt to isolate Kaliningrad Oblast.
Ukrainian outlet Ukrainska Pravda reported 11 attacks on border checkpoints, but if border infrastructure attacks are included, the number is higher. In 2026, the number of confirmed and likely Russian-origin incursions has grown, with the vast majority hitting Ukrainian border areas near Romania and Moldova.
The increasing number of Russian attacks on border areas and violations of European airspace are concerning, as they extend the security threat beyond Ukraine's borders. This includes incidents where drones were launched inside Europe, such as those that tried to attack a plane in Leipzig, Germany, and those that crashed in Romania and Moldova.
The report adds details about the specific types of drones and missiles used in the attacks, as well as the broader context of increasing Russian incursions into European airspace.
What's confirmed
- Drones invaded Moldova's airspace three separate times on September 30, as Russia launched a day-long attack against Ukraine, according to the Kyiv Independent. The first breach occurred in the village of Lunga in the Dubasari district, part of Moldova's Russian-occupied Transnistria region, at around 10:26 a.m. local time.
- Hours later, Moldova announced it had closed the airspace in its northern and central regions due to the presence of an unmanned aerial vehicle. A second drone was reported near Bender at about 5:40 a.m., and a third was detected crossing the border into Moldova from Ukraine's Vinnytsia Oblast at 8:45 p.m.
- Overnight, Russia attacked regions across Ukraine with 188 drones, 86 of them jet-powered, as well as with Zircon, Onyx, and Iskander missiles, according to Ukraine's Air Force. The Air Force reported shooting down or suppressing five missiles and 155 drones.
- Prime Minister Serhii Koretskyi stated that such a massive and combined attack had not occurred since the end of the last heating season. Neighboring Romania also responded to drone threats amid Russia's assault on Ukraine.
- Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova warned that weapons factories in European countries producing arms for Ukraine are potential military targets for Russia. NATO spokesperson Allison Hart confirmed that Russia told NATO it would be ready to use nuclear weapons if alliance members attempt to isolate Kaliningrad Oblast.
- Ukrainian outlet Ukrainska Pravda reported 11 attacks on border checkpoints, but if border infrastructure attacks are included, the number is higher. In 2026, the number of confirmed and likely Russian-origin incursions has grown, with the vast majority hitting Ukrainian border areas near Romania and Moldova.
- The increasing number of Russian attacks on border areas and violations of European airspace are concerning, as they extend the security threat beyond Ukraine's borders. This includes incidents where drones were launched inside Europe, such as those that tried to attack a plane in Leipzig, Germany, and those that crashed in Romania and Moldova.
- The report adds details about the specific types of drones and missiles used in the attacks, as well as the broader context of increasing Russian incursions into European airspace.
What's still developing
- Moldovan police said in a post on Facebook that a drone with "specific elements of the 'Gerbera' type used by the Russian Federation" was found in the country's Floresti district.
- Moldovan police and army teams were headed to inspect the site.
- Evidently, during September 2026, Russia sent multiple drones into the airspace of other countries, including NATO members, sometimes crashing, and President Zelenskyy said Russian drones attacked Moldova twice while he was in transit.
- Here is a breakdown of key reported incursions into European airspace, as well as strikes and crashes on European territory, involving Russian drones and missiles or weapons strongly suspected to be Russian based on their flight paths, timing, and identifiable characteristics.
- We explore the numbers, Russia’s strategy, and how Europe can respond.