Romanian president says Romania, Moldova can cooperate to prevent drone attacks

Romania and the Republic of Moldova could cooperate to prevent drone attacks. Romanian President Nicusor Dan made statements to this effect in Chisinau today. The Romanian head conveyed the message, given that today morning, the airspace of Moldova was overflown by five Russian drones.

At the same time, Romania’s Ministry of National Defence announced that it had detected a group of drones near Romanian airspace.

“We discussed the threats faced by our countries, Romania and Moldova, the drones that Mrs. President referred to, and we can cooperate to prevent this type of aggression,” Nicusor Dan said at a press conference held together with the President Maia Sandu and President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky.

Nicusor Dan and Maia Sandu condemned the war launched by Russia against Ukraine and underlined the need to support Ukraine in the face of Russian aggression. Maia Sandu pointed out that the effects of the war were felt beyond Ukraine’s borders, and the incidents in the airspace prove the importance of cooperation between Moldova and Romania.

“The sky above us shows most clearly how important our cooperation is. Russia’s brutal war against Ukraine is felt beyond its borders, and the airspace above Moldova and Romania has been violated dozens of times,” the head of state said.

Maia Sandu noted that, on the eve of Independence Day, Russian drones had entered the airspace of Moldova.

“Even today, on the eve of the holiday, Russian drones entered our airspace in a clear attempt to intimidate us. I say clearly and firmly, in the presence of our friends: we will not be intimidated,” the president stated.

The head of state specified that Moldova is investing in strengthening its air defence capabilities to protect the population and infrastructure.

“We are investing in air defence, so that we can protect our people and infrastructure, and we call on all countries of the free world to help Ukraine strengthen its air defence now, before this winter,” Maia Sandu said.

President of Romania Nicusor Dan and President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky came to Chisinau today, at the invitation of President Maia Sandu, in order to participate in the events dedicated to the Independence Day of the Republic of Moldova. This evening, the two officials, together with Maia Sandu, addressed the citizens of the Republic of Moldova during the events organized on the Great National Assembly Square.

During the night leading up to August 27, the Independence Day of the Republic of Moldova, five drones flew unauthorized over the country’s airspace, being detected near the border with Ukraine, in the context of air attacks launched by the Russian Federation against Ukraine. According to the Defence Ministry, the first drone crossed the state border from Ukraine near the locality of Beleaevka at 03:56, heading towards Palanca, Stefan Voda district. The aircraft left the airspace of  Moldova one minute later, on the same route, returning to Ukraine.