Five Russian missiles and drones violate Moldova's airspace and explode on its soil, Sandu says

Moldovan President Maia Sandu said on Saturday that five Russian air-attack weapons, including Banderol cruise missiles and drones, violated Moldova’s airspace and exploded on the country’s territory during Russia’s overnight attack on Ukraine.

“(Russia’s) war is dangerously reaching Moldova,” Sandu wrote in a post on X, condemning the attack. “Moscow is putting lives at risk across Europe and must be stopped.”

Defence Minister Anatolie Nosatyi told journalists the five incidents involved three missiles and two drones, TVR Moldova reported, as carried by the Kyiv Independent. Moldova’s Defence Ministry said it tracked the objects on the morning of October 3 near Anenii Noi, Stefan Voda, Tudora and Causeni; police and army teams were dispatched after explosions were reported near villages including Crocmaz, Delacau and Dubovca. No casualties were reported, though an explosion in a vineyard field near Crocmaz caused a vegetation fire and damaged windows at a nearby agricultural facility.

Moldova’s Foreign Ministry “strongly condemned” the airspace violation, saying “Russia’s war against Ukraine continues to pose concrete threats to our country and to the security of the entire region.” Yeni Safak reported that on Thursday the ministry had summoned Russian Ambassador Oleg Ozerov over three drone incursions in a single day, noting eight airspace violations in the past seven days. Moscow did not immediately comment on Saturday’s incident; Ozerov has told state-run Tass that Chisinau has produced “no evidence” the drones are of Russian origin.

Ukraine’s air force said Russia launched 157 Shahed and Gerbera drones plus Banderol missiles overnight, aimed largely at the Odesa region, which borders Moldova to the south. (Moldova airspace violations coverage: flipnews.co.uk/topics/moldova-airspace-violations/)