Moldova summons Russian envoy over drone, missile incursions

Moldova on Saturday summoned the Russian ambassador after what it said were the latest incursions by missiles and drones into its airspace from the war in neighboring Ukraine.

It was the second time in a few days that Moldova has called in the Russian envoy, as it faces a surge in airspace violations.

Officials said the latest incursion saw five drones and missiles cross into Moldova and explode near settlements, causing some damage but no casualties.

The foreign ministry summoned the Russian ambassador and urged Moscow to prevent such incidents, according to a statement.

Pro-EU President Maia Sandu said the incidents showed Russia’s war in Ukraine was “reaching Moldova.”

“Moscow is putting lives at risk across Europe and must be stopped,” she posted on X.

The government says there have been dozens of incursions this year by Russian and Iranian-made missiles and drones.

It has had to repeatedly close its airspace, and warned the incidents were endangering aviation security.

Last month a plane carrying Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy from the Moldovan capital Chisinau to Oslo for the funeral of Norway’s King Harald was delayed because of an airspace breach, and Zelenskyy said the same thing happened again on his way home.

Other European nations along NATO’s eastern flank have also seen an increase in drone incidents.

While it is not a member of the military alliance NATO, Moldova has been supportive of Ukraine since Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022.