russia exploits moldova's lack air defenses ukraine attacks moldovan military practicing firing s-60 open sources moldova defense moldova’s route missiles drones news ukrainian reports

Russia exploits Moldova’s lack of air defenses in Ukraine air attacks

December 26, 2024

By Ukraine

0 Likes

Russia frequently directs missiles and drones through Moldova, exploiting the country’s lack of functioning air defenses, Defense Express reported.

During a massive Russian missile assault on Ukraine on 25 December, a Kh-101 missile traversed 140 kilometers through Moldovan and Romanian airspace before ultimately falling in a western region of Ukraine without causing damage. In November alone, three Russian drones crashed in Modova.

While Romania’s restrained response may align with NATO’s collective stance, Moldova’s vulnerability stems from its complete absence of modern anti-aircraft systems. This has made Moldova’s airspace an attractive route for Russian missiles and drones targeting Ukraine, Defense Express notes.

According to Defense Express, Moldova’s military struggles with severely outdated air defense capabilities. While some reports indicate Moldova still possesses a single S-125 surface-to-air missile regiment, sources suggest these systems were sold off in the 2010s. Even basic detection equipment has been lacking, with Moldova acquiring its first modern radar – a Thales Ground Master 200 – in December 2023.

Moldova’s air defense currently relies on 28 ZU-23-2 anti-aircraft guns and 11 S-60 cannons, with no portable air defense systems (MANPADS). Its aviation component is similarly limited, consisting of two Antonov An-2s, six Mil Mi-8 helicopters, and a Yak-18 trainer aircraft. Six MiG-29 fighters remain in storage, unsold since the 1990s.

The S-125 Pechora is a missile system from the 1960s. The Zu-23-2 and S-60 come from the late 1950s, although Ukraine still successfully uses the Zu guns against Russia’s Shahed explosive drones.

Defense Express says Russia takes advantage of Moldova’s airspace when planning routes for missile and drone strikes, exploiting its lack of defenses. This recurring issue highlights Moldova’s inability to secure its skies despite its relatively small size of 33,846 km², comparable to Ukraine’s Odesa Oblast.

Related:

You could close this page. Or you could join our community and help us produce more materials like this.

We keep our reporting open and accessible to everyone because we believe in the power of free information. This is why our small, cost-effective team depends on the support of readers like you to bring deliver timely news, quality analysis, and on-the-ground reports about Russia’s war against Ukraine and Ukraine’s struggle to build a democratic society.

A little bit goes a long way: for as little as the cost of one cup of coffee a month, you can help build bridges between Ukraine and the rest of the world, plus become a co-creator and vote for topics we should cover next. Become a patron or see other ways to support.

Become a Patron!

Original Source

(Visited 1 times, 1 visits today)