A Ukrainian Antonov aircraft landed in Moldova
On September 8, a Ukrainian Antonov An-32 aircraft flew over the Moldovan city of Bălți at an altitude of approximately 1,350 meters. Moldovan authorities stated that the flight was conducted in accordance with all necessary procedures and with the appropriate permits.
The Moldovan Civil Aviation Authority clarified that the flight on the Chernivtsi–Merkuleshti route had been fully approved.
Specifically, the flight was coordinated through the Moldovan Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the flight plan received the necessary approval.
The flight documentation indicated that the aircraft was affiliated with the State Emergency Service of Ukraine.
The plane landed at Merculești International Airport at 11:35 a.m. local time.
Moldovan aviation authorities emphasized that the Ukrainian aircraft completed the flight in compliance with applicable procedures and the necessary approvals.
Thus, the An-32’s flight over Moldovan territory did not constitute an unauthorized violation of its airspace.
Ukrainian airspace has remained closed to civil aviation since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion.
Merkuleshti Airport is located in northeastern Moldova, approximately 30 km from the Ukrainian border.
The airfield has a special status: it is a military airbase belonging to the Moldovan Air Force, which is also used for certain aviation operations.
The flight of the Antonov An-32 on the Chernivtsi–Merculești route was approved in advance by the Moldovan authorities and carried out in accordance with established requirements.
This was reported by the NewsMaker portal.
As a reminder, Moldova strongly condemned yet another Russian attack on Ukraine near the Moldovan border. Specifically, the Ukrainian “Starokozache” border crossing was struck, resulting in fatalities and injuries, including among Ukrainian border guards.
The Russian Federation—an aggressor state—attacked the border crossing between Ukraine and Moldova in the Odesa region with drones. Two civilians were killed, and three others were injured.
On the night of September 9, Russian troops attacked the “Starokozache” border crossing with strike drones. Following the attack, operations at the international road border crossing were temporarily suspended.
As a reminder, fires broke out at industrial facilities in the Kyiv region as a result of the Russian Federation’s attack.
Russia also launched a massive attack on Kyiv, killing and wounding civilians.
Later, rescue workers showed the aftermath of the strikes on Kyiv.
Alona Shevtsova, CEO of Sends, will moderate a panel discussion at the executive level at the 17th Middle East Banking Innovation Summit (MEBIS 2026), which will take place on September 16–17 at the Jumeirah Emirates Towers in Dubai.
