Moldova hands protest note to Russian envoy over airspace incursions
Moldova handed a formal protest note to Russia’s ambassador-designate, Oleg Ozerov, after summoning him to the Foreign Ministry on October 3 following six unauthorized military aircraft incursions.
Five of the aircraft—three missiles and two drones—crashed and exploded near settlements across four districts, igniting vegetation fires and causing property damage. A sixth aircraft crossed over the southeastern border village of Palanca at 8:04 a.m. before exiting into Ukrainian airspace a minute later.
Evidence leaves no room for denial
The incursions occurred between 7:45 a.m. and 8:05 a.m., with debris recovered in the Căușeni, Ștefan Vodă, Anenii Noi, and Hâncești districts. In Crocmaz, located in the Ștefan Vodă district, an explosion in a vineyard near an agricultural station shattered windows and triggered a blaze, while another fire broke out after an impact in Constantinovca, Căușeni. Authorities confirmed that no casualties occurred.
“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs draws attention to the gravity of this incident, which endangered the lives and safety of citizens,” the ministry said in an official statement, demanding that Moscow respect Moldova’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Defense Minister Anatolie Nosatîi said on the morning of October 3 that physical evidence gathered at the blast sites refutes Moscow's narrative.
“With five confirmed incidents, that so-called Russian ambassador can no longer manipulate the facts,” Nosatîi said. “The evidence is on the ground. We must invest in defense to protect our citizens.”
Rising incursions and possible expulsion
Nosatîi urged the public to avoid approaching downed fragments, warning that the flights represent a direct fallout from Russia's war in neighboring Ukraine. The Foreign Ministry echoed the concern, stressing that the ongoing aggression against Ukraine continues to generate concrete threats to regional security.
Approximately 90 Russian missiles and drones have violated Moldovan airspace since the outbreak of the war. Ozerov had already been summoned on October 1 over three drone incursions that took place on September 30, two of which detonated on Moldovan soil. The diplomat recently conceded for the first time that several drones exploding inside Moldova were Russian-made.
The diplomatic fallout may escalate further. On October 2, Parliament Speaker Igor Grosu warned that Chisinau has not ruled out taking additional measures against the Russian envoy, including his expulsion from the country, stating, “Everything is possible.”
Translation by Iurie Tataru
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