Moldova Will Shoot Down Drones Violating Its Airspace Starting September 1

Starting September 1, 2025, Moldova’s Law on the Security of National Airspace comes into effect, published today in the Official Gazette. According to the law, if unmanned aerial vehicles (drones) illegally enter the country’s airspace and cannot be intercepted, the Border Police will have the right to neutralize or destroy them by disabling their control, navigation, or communication functions, writes rupor.md. Furthermore, if there is verified and confirmed information about the unauthorized use of national airspace by a civilian or state aircraft with a pilot on board, the Ministry of Defense will ensure the protection of the airspace, and the authorities will cooperate to provide support in maintaining the security of the national airspace. At the same time, the document, drafted by the Ministry of Defense, regulates the legal, organizational, and administrative relationships that arise in the process of ensuring national airspace security, the procedures to be followed in various in-flight situations, and the specific authority for approving measures to safeguard the airspace. The need to draft this bill is driven by the current security situation at both regional and national levels, as well as gaps in the legislation in this area.