Shahed drone Photo: social media / WillWest News / Profimedia
Two drones illegally flew over the north of the Republic of Moldova, again, on Friday evening. Following the incident, the authorities of the Republic of Moldova temporarily closed the airspace, which was later reopened, with the exception of the northern region, informs NewsMaker, quoted by News.ro.
According to the authorities, the two drones crossed the airspace of the Republic of Moldova in the direction of Stanislavka, Odesa-Vărăncău region, the region to the left of the Dniester, being undetectable on radar.
Later, the border authorities of Ukraine informed the Border Police that they were observed in the direction of Velikaia Kosniţa (UA) – Ruslanovca, Soroca district, crossing the state border from one side to the other, reports newsmaker.md.
The Chisinau authorities specify that they are taking procedural measures provided by the legislation in force. The area where the drones would have passed is being checked, but so far no objects have been identified that present risks for the safety of citizens.
The most recent case of unauthorized overflight of the airspace of the Republic of Moldova was registered on November 25, in the context of a new massive attack launched by Russia on Ukraine, resulting in casualties. Then, six drones illegally entered the airspace of the neighboring country.
In Romania, on the same day, a Russian drone crashed in Vaslui county, after being tracked for several hours through the airspace, through several counties.
One of them – of Russian production and marked with the “Z” symbol, used by the Russian army in the war in Ukraine and banned in the Republic of Moldova – crashed in the north of the country.
The MFA in Chisinau condemned the “serious violation of airspace”, including the crash of the drone on the roof of a house in Cuhurestii de Jos, Floreşti district.
The authorities qualified the incident as “a major risk for the safety of citizens” and summoned the accredited ambassador of Russia, Oleg Ozerov, for explanations.
Ozerov had been called to the MFA also on November 20, after on the eve of November 19, two other drones illegally flew over the territory of the Republic of Moldova – also against the backdrop of a massive Russian attack on Ukraine.
And then, as on November 26, Chisinau handed him a note of protest. Each time, the Russian diplomat contested the accusations, stating that no evidence was presented to prove that the drones were of Russian origin.
In the period 2023-2024, the Chisinau authorities opened eight criminal cases regarding the illegal overflight of the airspace of the Republic of Moldova.
