Key facts
- Five Russian air attack weapons violated Moldova's airspace on Oct. 3.
- Explosions occurred on Moldovan territory during the attack.
- Moldovan President Maia Sandu condemned the incident.
- No casualties or damage were reported.
- Russia launched 157 Shahed and Gerbera drones, among other weapons, against Ukraine.
- This is not the first time Russian drones have violated Moldovan airspace.
Five Russian air attack weapons, including missiles and drones, violated Moldova's airspace and exploded on the country's territory during Russia's latest overnight attack against Ukraine, Moldovan President Maia Sandu said on Oct. 3. Sandu condemned the attack, stating that Moscow is putting lives at risk across Europe and must be stopped. The Moldovan Defense Ministry reported tracking several unmanned aircraft on the morning of Oct. 3 near Anenii Noi, Stefan Voda, Tudora, and Causeni, with subsequent reports of explosions near villages including Crocmaz, Stefan Voda, Delacau, Puhaceni, Anenii Noi, Bozieni, and Hincesti, as well as in Dubovca, Constantinovca, and Causeni. No casualties or damage were reported, and police and army teams were dispatched to investigate. Russia's attacks on Ukraine over the past day killed at least eight civilians and injured 81 others, according to regional authorities. Ukraine's Air Force stated that Russia launched 157 Shahed and Gerbera drones, some of which were jet-powered, along with Parodiya decoy drones. This incident is part of a pattern, as Russian attacks on Ukraine frequently lead to violations of Moldova's airspace and explosions on its territory. Previously, drones invaded Moldovan airspace on Sept. 30, and suspected Russian drones crashed in Romania and Moldova on Sept. 24. In August, NATO fighter jets shot down a suspected Russian drone near the Moldovan border in Romanian airspace, and a Russian Banderol cruise missile had entered Moldovan airspace before crashing in a cornfield.