Russian missiles and drones explode inside Moldova, minister says
Three Russian missiles and two military drones breached Moldovan airspace within 15 minutes on Saturday morning, detonating across four southern and central districts without causing casualties, defense officials confirmed.
The explosive incursions occurred between 7:45 AM and 8:00 AM, scattering debris and triggering open-field fires in the districts of Căușeni, Ștefan Vodă, Anenii Noi, and Hâncești. In Crocmaz village, an explosion near an agricultural facility shattered building windows and sparked a vegetation fire, while a second blaze erupted following a blast in Constantinovca.
Air defense gaps leave borders exposed
Defense Minister Anatolie Nosatîi told public broadcaster Moldova 1 that the incident underscores the severe, direct risks posed to civilians by relentless Russian strikes against neighboring Ukraine.
“We have five confirmed cases—three missiles and two drones,” said Nosatîi. “Our teams are deployed on the ground to secure the impact sites and protect our citizens. This demonstrates why we must invest in defense capabilities.”
Nosatîi acknowledged that Moldova currently lacks modern interception systems capable of neutralizing fast, high-altitude cruise missiles and sophisticated unmanned aerial vehicles. He stressed that guarding the country's 1,212-kilometer shared border with Ukraine presents a monumental challenge requiring substantial foreign defense procurement and extensive personnel training.
“As long as the Russian Federation launches missiles and drones against Ukrainian infrastructure and civilians, these weapons will spill over into Moldova, Romania, and Bulgaria,” Nosatîi said. “This is the action of a state that disregards international law.”
State leadership condemns repeated airspace violations
President Maia Sandu strongly condemned Moscow's massive overnight assault against Ukraine and the concurrent violation of Moldovan sovereign airspace. She urged citizens to keep their distance from any metallic fragments and immediately notify emergency services via the 112 hotline.
“Russia's war against Ukraine directly endangers the lives of our citizens,” Sandu said. “Russia can end this war today. As long as these attacks persist, Ukraine needs decisive international support to defend its people and safeguard regional peace.”
Parliament Speaker Igor Grosu affirmed that Chișinău will not tolerate recurrent airspace violations that jeopardize civilian safety, warning that authorities will take necessary steps to strengthen security resilience.
Diplomatic pressure mounts on Moscow envoy
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned the incursions, stating that Moscow's ongoing aggression continues to generate acute threats across the entire region. Since February 2022, approximately 90 Russian missiles and combat drones have unlawfully penetrated Moldovan airspace.
The escalation follows the formal summoning of Russian Ambassador Oleg Ozerov on October 1, after two drones exploded on Moldovan soil during a September 30 barrage. While Ozerov recently admitted for the first time that several drones recovered by Moldovan authorities were Russian-manufactured, Chișinău is weighing harsher diplomatic responses.
Speaker Grosu noted earlier this week that the government does not rule out further punitive measures against the Russian ambassador, confirming that expulsion remains a viable option.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
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