Key facts
- Five Russian air attack weapons violated Moldova's airspace on Saturday.
- Debris from the weapons exploded on Moldovan territory.
- Moldovan President Maia Sandu condemned the incident, calling it a dangerous escalation.
- No casualties or damage were reported in Moldova.
- Russia launched 157 Shahed and Gerbera drones 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 on Saturday, according to Moldovan President Maia Sandu. Sandu condemned the incident, 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 October 3 near Anenii Noi, Stefan Voda, Tudora, and Causeni. Fragments were later found in the country’s eastern districts of Hincesti, Anenii Noi and Causeni, causing a fire but no reported casualties or damage.
Russia's attacks on Ukraine over the past day killed at least eight civilians and injured 83 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 collateral damage. Previously, drones invaded Moldovan airspace on September 30, and suspected Russian drones crashed in Romania and Moldova on September 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.