Drone found near Giurgiulesti, with experts identifying craters and shrapnel
On the morning of August 20, the remains of an unmanned aerial vehicle were discovered near the town of Giurgiulesti in the Cahul district. Preliminary results from an investigation conducted by specialists from the Technical-Explosives Section of the General Inspectorate of Police indicate that the aircraft is of the Geran type.
According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MAI), experts have identified two craters at the scene formed by an explosion. The first crater is approximately 1.2 meters long and 1.15 meters wide, while the second measures 3.7 meters by 3.9 meters and has a depth of about 55 centimeters.
Inside the craters, metal shrapnel from the explosion was discovered.
Approximately six meters from one of the craters, fragments of the engine and various components of a drone were also found.
“Based on the preliminary findings of the experts, the remains are identified as parts of a Geran-type unmanned aerial vehicle. Investigations are ongoing to fully document the circumstances of the incident, including establishing the aircraft's trajectory and all relevant details of the case,” stated the Ministry of Internal Affairs.
Three incidents near the Moldovan border following Russian attacks on port infrastructure in Reni
On the night of August 20, the Russian Federation launched attacks on the port infrastructure in Reni, Ukraine. In the aftermath of these attacks, authorities in the Republic of Moldova recorded three incidents near the state border.
The National Army's airspace surveillance systems detected and monitored an unauthorized flight. A drone, preliminarily identified as a Shahed-136 (also known as Geran-2), unlawfully entered the airspace of the Republic of Moldova from the direction of Cotlovina, in the Reni region of Ukraine. The drone flew over Moldovan territory toward the village of Etulia in the Gagauzia Autonomous Region. It exited Moldovan airspace at 03:22, returning to Ukrainian territory.
At approximately 03:45, border guards in Giurgiulesti observed an explosion in a truck parking lot located in Ukraine, about 150 meters from the border. This explosion also ignited a bushfire that spread across approximately 70 to 100 square meters in the Republic of Moldova.
The fire was brought under control by 04:30.
At 09:25, a mobile patrol from the Giurgiulesti Border Police Sector discovered a crater approximately 1,000 meters from the border, which contained the remains of a drone. The debris included the engine, power plate, and propeller components.
The area was immediately secured, and explosive technical operative groups from the IGP and the Cahul Police Inspectorate arrived to investigate. During the initial examination, no explosive charges were found.
During drone attacks targeting locations in Reni, the personnel of the Border Police and other agencies working in the border area, as well as civilians near the crossing point, faced risks from these drone activities, which occurred in close proximity to the Republic of Moldova.
The Ministry of Interior advises citizens to refrain from approaching any aircraft debris, ammunition, or unfamiliar objects, and to report such findings immediately to the authorities using the emergency number 112. In the event of unusual drone noises or explosions, individuals are urged to seek shelter in a safe location and to rely solely on official information from the authorities.
We remind you that a recent similar incident occurred on August 17, when another Russian drone fell and exploded about three kilometers from the village of Talmaza in the Stefan Voda district, starting a forest fire.
Since the Russian Federation began its war against Ukraine, the airspace of the Republic of Moldova has been illegally overflown nearly 70 times, according to data from the National Army.
