Event f5baf5fb-c624-4f6e-9dec-e3214e201e85

Healthy processed event from Hybrid War Tracker

Status: Healthy (Processed) Last Updated: 2026-02-10 Confidence: Low Classification: Military & Paramilitary Operations > Conventional Military Pressure > Airspace violations Country: Moldova Where: Airspace Tag: Hybrid Warfare Tag: Balloons Tag: Moldova Tag: Airspace violation Tag: Border security Tag: Hot air balloon Tag: Ukraine cooperation Tag: Northern Moldova Tag: December 2025 Aggressor Defense Confidence: High
🕐
Event Time
1mo ago
Created
2w ago
✏️
Updated
4d ago

Summary

Headline: On December 26, 2025, Moldovan Border Police informed of a flying object's drone radar detection violating northern Moldovan airspace near Bârnova and surrounding localities; later identified as a hot air balloon.

Short Summary: On December 26, 2025, at 15:45 local time, the Moldovan Border Police was informed by Ukrainian authorities that their radars detected a flying object violating the northern airspace of Moldova near the localities Bârnova, Dondușeni, Grinăuți, and Brătușeni direction. At 16:10, Ukraine's State Border Service confirmed the object disappeared from radar in the Brătușeni region. Subsequently, Moldova's Border Police learned from the Ministry of Defense’s Air Operations Service that the flying object was identified as a hot air balloon. Moldovan authorities confirmed no risks or dangers were registered within Moldovan territory, monitoring the situation continuously. The Border Police remain in contact with national and international partners to ensure border security and citizen safety. Contact details for further information are provided by Ilona Railean from the Strategic Communication Section. This event represents an airspace violation with eventual identification of the object, evidencing active monitoring and cooperation between Moldovan and Ukrainian authorities.

Extended Summary: On December 26, 2025, at 15:45 local time, the Moldovan Border Police was informed by Ukrainian authorities that their radars detected a flying object violating the northern airspace of Moldova near the localities Bârnova, Dondușeni, Grinăuți, and Brătușeni direction. At 16:10, Ukraine's State Border Service confirmed the object disappeared from radar in the Brătușeni region. Subsequently, Moldova's Border Police learned from the Ministry of Defense’s Air Operations Service that the flying object was identified as a hot air balloon. Moldovan authorities confirmed no risks or dangers were registered within Moldovan territory, monitoring the situation continuously. The Border Police remain in contact with national and international partners to ensure border security and citizen safety. Contact details for further information are provided by Ilona Railean from the Strategic Communication Section. This event represents an airspace violation with eventual identification of the object, evidencing active monitoring and cooperation between Moldovan and Ukrainian authorities.

Description

On 26 December 2025 at 15:45, the Moldovan Border Police was notified by Ukrainian authorities that their radars detected a flying object violating northern Moldovan airspace near Bârnova, Dondușeni, Grinăuți, and Brătușeni. At 16:10, Ukraine's State Border Service reported the object disappeared from radar over Brătușeni. Moldovan Border Police were later informed by the Ministry of Defense Air Operations Service that the object was a hot air balloon. No risks or dangers were noted within Moldovan territory. Moldovan Border Police continue to monitor the border situation and cooperate with national and international partners to ensure security.

Event Classification

Aggressor Event Defense Preparation Event

Rationale

Classified as aggressor event because it involved unauthorized airspace violation detected by radars reported by Ukrainian authorities, implicating potential hostile activity. Classified as defense preparation event because Moldovan Border Police monitored and coordinated cross-border information sharing to ensure border security and public safety.