Two Russian S8000 missiles enter Moldova's airspace during attacks on Ukraine
Moldova's National Integrated Monitoring System detected two Russian S8000 winged missiles crossing into the country's airspace during Russian attacks on Ukraine. The first entered at 06:04 and left at 06:09; the second entered at 06:06 and exited at 06:10. Moldova continued air monitoring and its authorities declared a Russian embassy employee in Chisinau persona non grata, prompting a protest from Russia.
Key points
- Two Russian S8000 winged missiles entered Moldova's airspace during attacks on Ukraine
- The first missile crossed the border at 06:04 from near Yasky, Odesa region, heading toward Tudora in Moldova's Ștefan Vodă district
- The first missile left Moldova's airspace at 06:09 toward Starokozache, Odesa region
- The second missile crossed the border at 06:06 from near Limanske, Odesa region, heading toward Pervomaisc in Moldova's Transnistrian region
- The second missile left Moldova's airspace at 06:10 toward Rozdilna, Odesa region
- A loaded explosive drone was found in Kishelnytsia about 100 metres from a residential building
- Moldova declared a Russian embassy employee in Chisinau persona non grata on 23 October; Russia summoned ambassador Lilian Darie and issued a firm protest
Why it matters
The missiles' passage extended the effects of Russia's war beyond Ukraine into another country's airspace. Moldova responded diplomatically, declaring a Russian embassy employee persona non grata, while Russia summoned Moldova's ambassador and issued a protest. The discovery of a loaded explosive drone near a residence in Kishelnytsia underscores related risks facing local communities.
What happened
Moldova's National Integrated Monitoring System detected two Russian S8000 winged missiles entering the country's airspace during Russian attacks on Ukraine. The first crossed the border at 06:04 from the direction of Yasky in Odesa region and headed toward Tudora in the Ștefan Vodă district; it exited at 06:09 toward Starokozache in Odesa region. The second crossed at 06:06 from near Limanske in Odesa region toward Pervomaisc in Moldova's Transnistrian region and left at 06:10 toward Rozdilna in Odesa region. The information was attributed to Moldova's Ministry of Defence. Moldova's Air Operations Centre continued monitoring the airspace in coordination with competent authorities and partners. Separately, a loaded explosive drone was found in Kishelnytsia that had fallen about 100 metres from a residential building. Moldova's authorities declared a Russian embassy employee in Chisinau persona non grata on 23 October; Russia's Foreign Ministry subsequently summoned Moldovan ambassador Lilian Darie and expressed a firm protest.
How Ukrainian sources describe it
Ukrainian-language coverage emphasizes that the missiles crossed from territory in Odesa region, provides specific entry and exit times and locations, and directly links the incursions to Russian attacks on Ukraine. It also foregrounds Moldova's diplomatic response and the danger the war poses to Moldovan citizens.
Where reporting differs
Sources differ slightly on the precise destination named for the first missile's exit from Moldova, giving either Starokozatske or Starokozache, and on whether the second missile exited toward a village or toward the city of Rozdilna. The broader account of two missiles crossing into and leaving Moldovan airspace agrees across the sources.
Background
The airspace incursions were reported by Moldova's National Integrated Monitoring System, with the information attributed to the Ministry of Defence, while the Air Operations Centre continued monitoring in coordination with competent authorities and partners. A previous incident on 17 August saw a missile enter Moldova and an unknown object explode near Talmaza.