Moldova reports Russian aircraft 'Banderol' entered its airspace

Moldovan authorities reported that a Russian S-8000 "Banderol" aircraft entered the country's airspace on Monday after transiting over Ukraine's Odesa region. The incident prompted a temporary closure of Moldovan airspace over the central part of the country for approximately 15 minutes.

Following the aircraft's entry, an explosion was reported in southeastern Moldova. The Moldovan military confirmed detecting an aerial object that followed a trajectory between Kučurgan and Tiraspol. The "Banderol," also known as S-8000, is described as a Russian aircraft with characteristics of both a drone and a cruise missile, capable of speeds up to 500 kilometers per hour and a range of up to 500 kilometers.

Ukrainian military aviation had previously reported several "Banderols" moving towards Odesa and Chornomorsk before announcing that one had crossed the Moldovan border. The incident highlights ongoing airspace security concerns in the region.