---
title: "Russia probes NATO through Moldovan airspace, premier says"
url: https://radiomoldova.md/p/85863/russia-probes-nato-through-moldovan-airspace-premier-says
published: 2026-09-25T13:58:32Z
language: en
author: "Liubomir Guțu"
section: "Political"
source: radiomoldova.md
---

# Russia probes NATO through Moldovan airspace, premier says

> Moldovan Prime Minister Vasile Tofan warned that Russia is actively testing Western vigilance by sending military drones through Moldova’s airspace toward neighboring NATO members, even as Chișinău faces no immediate threat of military invasion.

[Video](https://www.youtube.com/embed/5oZVfw4E0_4)

Moldovan Prime Minister Vasile Tofan warned that Russia is actively testing Western vigilance by sending military drones through Moldova’s airspace toward neighboring NATO members, even as Chișinău faces no immediate threat of military invasion.

![](https://storage.radiomoldova.md/images/7164e8d7-6117-49ee-825c-eaf7a23a5045.jpg)

Speaking to CNN on the sidelines of the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York, Tofan stated that recurring airspace violations represent calculated reconnaissance by Moscow.

*“What I believe Russia is doing is probing NATO countries through numerous drones traversing Moldova toward Romania. You see similar attacks in Poland as well. Russia is testing the waters,”* Tofan said. *“At the same time, we do not believe there is an imminent threat of an incursion into Moldova.”*

**EU integration as a security anchor**

Moldova shares an estimated 1,200-kilometer border with Ukraine, leaving the nation exposed on the frontline of regional instability triggered by Moscow’s war. Tofan reiterated that Chișinău’s strategic goal remains European Union accession by 2030, a milestone seen both as an economic catalyst and a vital security guarantee.

The prime minister nevertheless ruled out any pursuit of NATO membership, reaffirming that Moldova will strictly preserve its constitutional neutrality.

Tofan also underscored the critical role of United States assistance, particularly in securing the nation's energy independence. He pointed to the construction of the Strășeni–Gutinaș high-voltage transmission line, which will directly interconnect Moldova's electrical grid with Romania.

*“We welcome the United States’ involvement in supporting Moldova, particularly our energy independence and efforts to connect our power grid with Romania and Ukraine,”* Tofan said. *“A stronger Moldova also helps Ukraine.”*

**Democratic resilience against disinformation**

Addressing Moscow's persistent interference in domestic democratic processes, Tofan described Moldova as a resilient laboratory capable of withstanding Russian hybrid aggression.

He cautioned that the Kremlin has treated Chișinău as a testing ground for illicit funding and electoral manipulation schemes that Moscow intends to deploy across EU member states.

*“I am proud that our country managed to resist, even though it was a David versus Goliath struggle,”* Tofan said. *“We won elections in a free and democratic system while Russia invested hundreds of millions of dollars to destabilize us. Pro-democracy and pro-European parties prevailed.”*

Successful resistance, Tofan added, relies on maintaining a rigorous balance between an independent press and well-trained security services.

While in New York, Tofan held bilateral discussions with former US Secretary of State and CIA Director Mike Pompeo on Eastern European security and US private investment across energy, infrastructure, and technology. He also met Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre to coordinate continued bilateral assistance for national energy resilience ahead of winter.

Translation by **Iurie Tataru**

***
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