Two Russian drones found in southern Moldova: Foreign Ministry summons Russian ambassador
Photo: Russian drones found in Moldova (t.me/Politia_Republicii_Moldova)
Two drones were found in southern Moldova on the morning of Thursday, February 13. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Moldova urgently summoned the Russian ambassador, the press service of the Moldovan police informs.
According to the report, two more drones were discovered in the south of the country. One was found in an agricultural field near the village of Ciumai, Taraclia district, while the other exploded in a field approximately 1.5 kilometers from Ceadîr-Lunga.
Explosives experts from the police department are present at the scene. They are conducting an investigation, after which the drones will be thoroughly examined. Preliminary data suggests that fragments found in Ceadîr-Lunga belong to a Russian drone.
The areas have been cordoned off, and the danger to civilians in the vicinity has been eliminated.
According to NewsMaker, the Reni-Giurgiulești border crossing point ceased operations around 23:05 on Wednesday, February 12, and all staff were evacuated to Giurgiulești. This happened following a series of explosions near the checkpoint.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Moldova also summoned the Russian ambassador.
"The Ministry of Foreign Affairs expresses deep concern and strongly condemns repeated violations of national airspace by drones launched after Russian attacks on infrastructure in southern Ukraine," the statement says.
The report indicates that Moldova considers such actions a violation of its sovereignty and a risk to peace and security in the region.
"We reiterate our firm call for the immediate cessation of these aggressive actions and strict compliance with international law," the Ministry stated.
Moldovan President Maia Sandu, in a Twitter post, confirmed that Shahed-type drones violated the country's airspace. Two of them exploded on Moldovan territory, endangering the lives of Moldovans.
"Russia respects no borders, attacks civilians, spreads terror. Its war on Ukraine is criminal. Leave us, peaceful nations, alone," Sandu stated.
Airspace violations during attacks on Ukraine
This is not the first instance since the start of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine when Russian drones violated the airspace of other countries.
At least five such incidents were recorded last year. For instance, on November 10, two drones that entered during another Russian attack were discovered in Moldova. At that time, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Moldova also strongly condemned Russia's actions. In December 2024, a passerby discovered a UAV near one of the shopping centers in Moldova’s capital, Chișinău.
Furthermore, another unidentified drone was found on Moldovan territory on Wednesday, February 12. UAVs were detected near the border with Ukraine.
