Moldova said on Thursday it had “urgently” summoned Russia’s ambassador after drones from the war in neighbouring Ukraine exploded on its territory, while NATO member Romania reported its airspace had been violated.
Airspace violations have become frequent since Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, with Moscow targeting Ukrainian port infrastructure in the south, close to the border with both Romania and Moldova.
“Shahed drones violated our airspace, two exploded on our soil, putting Moldovan lives at risk,” Moldovan President Maia Sandu wrote on X, condemning Moscow’s “criminal” war on Ukraine.
The foreign ministry said it had summoned the Russian ambassador “to request official explanations and to strongly protest these unacceptable actions”.
This is not the first time Moscow’s envoy has been summoned over such issues.
Border police announced “several such aircraft” had crossed into Moldova during the night, with two drones crashing in fields.
Later, the Moldovan police said new drone fragments had been found during the morning in a third location. No casualties were recorded.
In neighbouring Romania, radar systems identified “an aerial target that briefly crossed national airspace” during the night, close to the Ukrainian port of Reni, according to the defence ministry.
Searches are being carried out for “a possible impact zone”, the ministry said, condemning Russian attacks on Ukraine.
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