European Commission condemns repeated airspace violations in Moldova, reaffirms backing for regional security
The European Commission (EC) condemns the continued violations of airspace in the Republic of Moldova by Russian drones, noting that these actions are deliberate provocations and escalate tensions in Eastern Europe.
In a press statement, Anouar El Anouni, spokesperson for the European Commission for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, described the recent violation of Moldova's airspace as part of a "wider pattern of provocations by Russia." This pattern also includes incursions by Russian drones into the airspace of the European Union.
"These attacks are unprecedented both in their scale and in the irresponsibility with which they are carried out. Our message is clear: the European Union will continue to support the Republic of Moldova in strengthening its defense capabilities," said El Anouni.
The European Commission reaffirms its commitment to supporting the Republic of Moldova in enhancing its security and resilience, particularly through the European Peace Facility. This initiative, launched in 2021, has enabled the European Union to provide financial and technical support to bolster the defense capacities of countries affected by conflicts in the EU's neighborhood, with the Republic of Moldova being one of the primary beneficiaries.
"Our cooperation with the Republic of Moldova is stronger than ever, and our support will continue to grow, both in quantity and quality. The EU Partnership Mission will persist in providing strategic advice to counter hybrid threats," added El Anouni.
The European Commission's chief spokesperson, Paula Pinho, emphasized the need for a coordinated international response to Russia's actions, referencing statements made by Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, following the meeting of the Coalition of the Willing.
During this meeting, von der Leyen warned of the risks facing the Republic of Moldova, including the overflight of its airspace by Russian drones. "These actions are a clear reminder that Europe's security is interdependent with the security of Ukraine and its neighborhood. The European Union remains firmly committed to safeguarding the security of the entire region," stated Paula Pinho, underscoring the importance of strengthening partnerships during this time of geopolitical uncertainty.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen also strongly condemned the Russian attacks on Ukraine while reaffirming the EU's ongoing support in the face of Russian aggression.
On the morning of November 25, the National Army's surveillance systems detected six unauthorised drones crossing the Republic of Moldova's airspace. This incident followed a significant attack on Ukraine.
One of the drones, marked with the letter "Z"—a symbol of Russian military aggression—landed on the roof of a house in the village of Cuhurestii de Jos, located in the Floresti district. It was later identified as a "decoy drone" and was confirmed to be unarmed.
On November 26, Oleg Ozerov, the Ambassador of the Russian Federation in Chisinau, was summoned to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, where he received a note of protest regarding the incident.
During a press conference, Ozerov questioned the authorities’ account of the drone incident in Floresti, arguing that it is unlikely a drone would land intact on a roof after running out of fuel without causing any damage. He noted that the drone's identification number had been observed on November 18 in the Kharkiv region of Ukraine and rhetorically asked how it could have "miraculously" appeared in Floresti just a few days later.
