Moldovan Foreign Affairs Ministry again summons Russian Ambassador over violation of Moldova's airspace

The Foreign Affairs Ministry (MAE)has summoned Russia’s ambassador-designate to Moldova, Oleg Ozerov, and handed him a protest note after five aircrafts – three missiles and two drones – had flown over Moldova’s airspace today and exploded near settlements in four districts. The incident occurred just two days after Ozerov had been summoned to the MAE following other violations of the country’s airspace.

The MAE stressed the seriousness of the incident on October 3, which endangered the lives and safety of citizens and caused fires and material damage. The ministry called on the Russian Federation to respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Moldova and to prevent the recurrence of such incidents.

On October 3 morning, the Air Operations Service of the National Army established that, between 7:45 and 8:00 a.m., the country’s airspace had been crossed by five unmanned aircraft. Subsequently, the Defense Ministry said that, of the five aircraft that exploded on the ground, three were missiles and two were drones.

Fragments of the aircraft were discovered in more areas. Explosions were reported outside the town of Causeni and near the village of Constantinovca, while fragments were also found in the Dubovca area of Hancesti district, between the villages of Delacau and Puhaceni, Anenii Noi district, as well as near the village of Crocmaz, Stefan Voda district. In Crocmaz, the explosion caused a vegetation fire and material damage.

On the same day, the National Army announced that its surveillance systems had identified a sixth unauthorized flight. The object entered the airspace of Moldova at 8:04 a.m. from the direction of Udobnoe, Odesa region, heading toward Palanca, and left the country’s territory at 8:05 a.m., heading toward Biliaivka, Ukraine. Thus, a total of six unauthorized flights were detected on October 3.

The new incident came after, on October 1, the MAE had summoned Russia’s ambassador-designate, Oleg Ozerov, and handed him a protest note following three violations of Moldova’s airspace that occurred on September 30.

According to information published at the time, one of the drones fell and exploded outside the village of Harbovat in Anenii Noi district, another drone was detected near the village of Lunga, Dubasari district, while the third was spotted near the Ivancea–Branesti route and reportedly fell after hitting trees. In the case of one of the drones, components marked “Geran 4” were identified.

In the note handed to the ambassador, the MAE condemned what it described as a serious violation of Moldova’s sovereignty, which directly endangered the lives of citizens, and called on the Russian Federation to stop actions that put Moldova at risk. According to the MAE, in the seven days preceding the ambassador’s summons, the country’s airspace had been violated eight times.

As for incidents of October 3, the MAE once again emphasized that Russia’s war against Ukraine was generating concrete threats to Moldova and regional security. The authorities continue to monitor the airspace and document the circumstances of the incidents.

The Defense Ministry announced that the Air Operations Service continued to monitor the airspace of Moldova, in coordination with the competent authorities and partners. Citizens are urged not to touch or move unidentified objects or fragments and to call the 112 emergency service, if they discover any.