Moldovan interior minister says citizens warned not to touch or move fallen drones or similar objects

Citizens are warned not to touch or move fallen drones or similar objects. In such cases, individuals should immediately call the 112 emergency service. Interior Minister Daniella Misail-Nichitin has issued a warning to this effect.

The official emphasized that police had intervened in the locality of Pepeni, northern Sangerei district on 3 December, in order to extract the drone components that were at the residence of the person who had discovered it.

‘’The drone was found by locals near the village of Pepeni. The area was secured. It was not a drone that posed a danger to the population, as it did not contain explosives. In the context, I am warning all citizens that, when they find or see flying objects, including those on the ground, they should not touch or attempt to move them. People should immediately call the 112 service or notify the police, in order to create a safe space for citizens. You must know that these objects can pose a danger. All necessary measures to be taken are related to police activities,’’ said Daniella Misail-Nichitin.

The minister specified that experts continued the investigations on this case and would provide further details about the drone’s components after the completion of the expertise. Additionally, she announced that, in this case, the man who discovered the drone and subsequently transported and disassembled it would be heard, and ‘’depending on the severity of the act, necessary measures will be applied.’’

A drone was identified nearby the locality of Pepeni, Sangerei district, on 3 December. The flying device was found on Saturday on a hill near the village. Two men dismantled the drone, removed its engine and other parts. Later, the object was brought to the village without reporting it to the authorities.

The police have established that it is a Russian unmanned aerial vehicle, of Gerbera type, used for deception. The system can be used both as an improvised means of attack and for observation and intelligence missions, including identifying anti-aircraft defense means and monitoring the impact of other aerial platforms.