Russian drones breach Moldova, Romania, Poland airspace in 24 September incidents
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Russian drones breached the airspace of Moldova, Romania, and Poland on 24 September, with several crashing or exploding near populated areas and border crossings. Moldova closed its northern airspace and Romania shut a border crossing with Ukraine after the incidents. Poland reported a helicopter incursion and a fire at a Starlink ground station that authorities called sabotage.
Key Facts
- Moldova recorded four drone overflights on 24 September, with two crashing and exploding on its territory and debris from a third found.
- Romania closed a border crossing with Ukraine after a drone exploded 30 km from Suceava.
- Poland suspended two border crossings with Ukraine and reported a fire at a Starlink ground station about 40 km south of Warsaw that authorities called sabotage.
- A Russian Mi-8 helicopter entered Polish airspace by about 300 metres and remained for 42 seconds, according to the Polish army's operational command.
- NATO aircraft were scrambled twice over Poland and four times over Romania's Danube Delta area in response to Russian strikes near the borders.
Airspace Violations
On 24 September, Moldova recorded four drone overflights, two of which crashed and exploded on its territory, with debris from a third also found. Moldova temporarily closed its airspace in the north of the country following the incidents. Two drones violated Romanian airspace, one exploding 30 km from the city of Suceava. Romania closed a nearby border crossing with Ukraine in response. Earlier, four aircraft — two Romanian F-16s and two Spanish F-18s from the NATO mission — were scrambled due to Russian strikes near the Romanian Danube Delta.
Poland Incidents
Poland twice scrambled NATO aircraft because of a Russian strike near the Ukrainian-Polish border. Two Polish border crossings with Ukraine suspended operations due to Russian drone attacks. Late on 23 September, a fire broke out at a Starlink ground station about 40 km south of Warsaw. The station, owned by state telecommunications company Exatel, routes internet traffic through Poland and into Ukraine. Polish authorities later stated that sabotage had taken place.
Helicopter Incursion
On the same day, a Russian Mi-8 military helicopter entered Polish airspace by about 300 metres and remained there for 42 seconds, according to the Polish army's operational command. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk commented on the incidents of 24 September, saying that Putin wants to exhaust Europe.
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