Moldovan authorities reported that two Russian drones entered the country’s airspace, creating a serious threat to aviation safety. This marks the third such incident in nine days, heightening concerns over regional air security.
Following the incursion, Moldavia temporarily closed its airspace for one hour and 10 minutes to prevent potential hazards to commercial flights. According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the drones were later tracked continuing over Ukrainian territory.
In response, the Moldovan Foreign Ministry summoned the Russian ambassador, Oleg Ozerov, to present one of the drones that had landed on Moldovan soil. A video of the ambassador near the recovered drone was publicly released, underscoring the seriousness of the incident.
President Maia Sandu condemned Russia’s actions, accusing Moscow of attempting to destabilize the small state situated between Ukraine and EU member Romania. Sandu emphasized the threat posed to regional security and reiterated Moldavia’s aspiration to join the European Union by 2030.
The Moldovan authorities stressed that the airspace closure was essential to protect routine flights from potential accidents. The Ministry of Internal Affairs stated: “During this incident, which posed a serious threat to aviation safety, Moldavia’s airspace was closed from 22:43 to 23:53.”
This event is part of a pattern of Russian provocations in the region since the start of the war in Ukraine, reflecting ongoing risks for Moldavia and neighboring countries.
