Russia’s accredited ambassador summoned to Foreign Ministry

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) today handed the accredited Ambassador of the Russian Federation to the Republic of Moldova, Oleg Ozerov, a note of protest following the illegal violation of the airspace of the Republic of Moldova by an unmanned aircraft, which on 13 May 2026 flew over the state border from the direction of Mohyliv-Podilskyi, Vinnytsia region, towards the village of Sauca, Ocnița district.

The authorities in Chișinău firmly condemned this “serious and unacceptable violation of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Republic of Moldova”, stressing that such incidents pose a risk to the security of citizens and to regional stability.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs requested official explanations and reiterated the need for strict observance of the airspace of the Republic of Moldova, in accordance with international law.

Oleg Ozerov refused to make statements to the press.

An unmanned aircraft was detected at the end of last week on the territory of the Republic of Moldova, after crossing the state border from the direction of Mohyliv-Podolsk (Vinnytsia, Ukraine) towards the village of Sauca, Ocnița district. The aircraft was observed by citizens over the city of Bălți and was subsequently heading towards Ungheni district. Later, it was detected in Hâncești district, moving towards the south of the country, disappearing from radar near the locality of Mingir.

The aircraft later reappeared in the area of the locality of Colibași, Cahul district, and then crossed the village of Câșlița-Prut in the same district. Afterwards, it disappeared from radar in the Giurgiulești area. In the context of the unauthorized overflight, the airspace in the northern and central areas was temporarily closed and subsequently reopened after the aircraft left the territory of the Republic of Moldova. According to the authorities, the unauthorized overflight took place following a massive attack by the Russian Federation on the western regions of Ukraine.

Since the beginning of the war in Ukraine, the airspace of the Republic of Moldova has been violated without authorization more than 40 times. The authorities in Chișinău have repeatedly submitted notes of protest to the designated Ambassador of the Russian Federation, underlining that although the drones do not directly target the Republic of Moldova, their flight paths – associated with attacks on Ukraine – pose an increased risk to national security.