Russian missile cuts through Moldova, Romania on Xmas morning

A Russian cruise missile flew through Moldovan and Romanian airspace toward the western Ukrainian administrative center of Chernivtsi, the Ukrainian Air Force reported on Telegram at 7:24 a.m. EET during the massive Russian attack on the country on Dec. 25.

The missile flew about 140 kilometers over the two countries after entering Moldova near the Ukrainian town of Yampil, Vinnytsia Oblast, and returning to Ukraine near the Romanian town of Darabani.

Moldovan President Maia Sandu strongly condemned Russia’s violation of Moldova’s airspace as well as its attack on Ukraine’s power grid.

“While our countries are celebrating Christmas, the Kremlin is choosing the path of destruction – attacking Ukraine’s energy infrastructure and violating Moldova’s airspace with a missile in clear violation of international law. Moldova condemns these actions and stands in full solidarity with Ukraine,” she wrote on X.

At 6:00 am EET, the Ukrainian Air Force issued an air-raid alert throughout the country in response to the approach of Russian Tu-95MS strategic bombers and the launch of Kalibr cruise missiles from the Black Sea.

Russian forces carried out the thirteenth massive attack on Ukraine’s power grid and the tenth on DTEK’s thermal power plants (TPPs) in 2024, causing significant damage to the equipment.