Florești drone shown at MFA: Russia called to avoid actions threatening Moldova’s security
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) submitted another note of protest to Oleg Ozerov, the Ambassador of the Russian Federation in Chisinau. This protest concerns an incident that occurred on November 25, when six drones illegally entered the airspace of the Republic of Moldova. At the entrance to the MFA, a drone bearing the inscription "Z"—a symbol of Russian military aggression—was displayed. This drone had fallen on the roof of a house in Cuhurestii de Jos, Floresti.
Oleg Ozerov was summoned to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) headquarters on November 26 for the second time in a week, expressing doubts that the drone involved was Russian.
Chisinau's diplomatic response characterised the recent unauthorised overflights of its airspace as "absolutely inadmissible actions." They emphasized that these actions constitute a serious violation of the sovereignty of the Republic of Moldova and pose a direct threat to national and regional security.
The MFA reiterated its call for the Russian Federation to refrain from any activities that jeopardize the security of Moldova and to fully adhere to international norms, as well as respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Republic of Moldova. Additionally, the ministry requested that the Embassy of the Russian Federation take the necessary measures to prevent similar incidents in the future, according to an MFA press release.
The Ambassador of the Russian Federation in Chisinau, Oleg Ozerov, has expressed skepticism about the Moldovan authorities' account of the drone that crashed in Floresti. He noted that it is unlikely for a drone that runs out of fuel to land intact on a house's roof without causing any damage.
Ozerov further stated that the identification number of the drone that crashed in Floresti was spotted on November 18 in Ukraine's Kharkov region, questioning how it could have "miraculously" arrived in Floresti just a few days later.
"We believe that incidents like these should be investigated as thoroughly as the ongoing investigation into the smuggling of weapons from Ukraine to Romania. We are open to constructive dialogue and hope to develop normal relations with the Republic of Moldova. However, such occurrences raise many questions. We propose changing the approach to our relations and breaking out of this vicious cycle of protest notes, as there are multiple operations under foreign flags and numerous attempts to undermine our relations with the Republic of Moldova, which are already at the lowest level in history," Ozerov stated.
Additionally, the drone that fell in Floresti was placed on the steps of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs shortly before the Russian diplomat left the building.
On the morning of Tuesday, November 25, at least six drones were detected flying over the airspace of the Republic of Moldova. One of these drones, marked with the letter "Z"—a symbol associated with the war initiated by the Russian Federation against Ukraine—crashed onto the roof of a house in the village of Cuhureștii de Jos, located in the Florești district.
According to the Ministry of Defense, the first drone was detected flying towards the localities of Vinogradovca and Vulcănești, before moving in the direction of the state border with Romania, particularly in the area between Colibași and Vadul lui Isac in the Cahul district. This drone was flying at approximately 1,500 meters.
Subsequently, five additional drones were identified by the National Army's airspace surveillance systems crossing over the localities of Dondușeni, Orhei, Bender, Vadul lui Vodă, and Florești. One of these drones eventually crashed onto the roof of a house in Cuhureștii de Jos.
The General Inspectorate of Police (IGP) announced that the drone that crashed in Florești is of the Gerbera type, manufactured in Russia, and it did not carry an explosive charge.
"When subjected to jamming, these drones continue to fly until their fuel runs out, at which point they hover and land," explained Viorel Cernăuțeanu, the head of the General Inspectorate of Police. This process explains why the drone's crash in Florești did not cause significant damage.
Additionally, the airspace of the Republic of Moldova was violated by a Russian drone on the night of November 19. Since the onset of the war between the Russian Federation and Ukraine, several Russian drones have illegally entered the airspace of the Republic of Moldova, with some crashing on its territory and exploding near populated areas.
