Russia is pushing the boundaries of its ongoing war in Ukraine again, sending five drones into a nearby country’s airspace illegally.

This morning, as Moldova prepared to celebrate its 35th Independence Day from the Soviet Union, Russian drones crossed the border.

The first drone crossing came from neighbouring Ukraine around 3:55am before others followed suit.

They are believed to have crossed the border while trying to hit targets inside Ukraine, where Russia is continuing to bombard civilians.

The Moldovan Ministry of Defence wrote: ‘The unauthorised overflights of our country’s airspace occurred following the Russian Federation’s air attacks on Ukraine. National authorities, together with partners, continue to monitor airspace for the safety of the population.’

One local said: ‘This is probably how the Russians ‘congratulated’ us on our Independence Day.’

Russia has been widely accused of waging a war against Europe, using hundreds of drones to spy on critical infrastructure.

The International Institute of Strategic Studies issued a sobering report in which they found Vladimir Putin’s shadow fleet ships sent drones into Britain and Europe, targeting airports, bases and nuclear sites.

Among the sites affected by the spy drones were RAF Fairford, Feltwell, Lakenheath and Mildenhall, and dozens of sites across continental Europe.

‘The Kremlin was likely able to map reaction times, coverage gaps and limitations across European integrated air defences,’ the IISS added.

It’s unclear if the latest incursion into Moldovan airspace is related.

Earlier this month, NATO jets were scrambled to shoot down a drone which crossed into Latvian airspace from Russia.

The kamikaze drone had been redirected into Latvian airspace by Russian ‘electromagnetic warfare’, Riga’s Defence Ministry said.

The drone was likely Ukrainian and involved in a mass four-hour strike on the Leningrad region around St Petersburg – but was disrupted and redirected by Russian air defences. 

Airspace threats had been declared in five border municipalities in the Baltic state, with airspace curbs also imposed in Finland. 

Fighters ‘successfully shot down a foreign unmanned aerial vehicle that had entered Latvia as a result of Russian electromagnetic warfare.’

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