Moldova expels Russian diplomat after Russian Geran drone falls near family homes

Moldova has expelled a Russian diplomat following a Russian Geran drone incident. The drone violated Moldova's airspace and crashed near homes and an energy facility in the country's central region, reported President Maia Sandu on October 23. Sandu described Russia's actions as "dangerously putting Moldovan lives at risk" and called it "Russia's latest dangerous act."

A local resident alerted the police to the drone's landing in the village of Kistelnita, located in the Telenesti District, approximately 100 meters away from a residential building. The Russian defense ministry reported the drone's entry into Moldovan airspace during a significant Russian attack on Ukraine at 1:59 p.m. local time.

The drone crossed from the Ukrainian Vinnytsia Oblast towards Moldova's Transnistria region. It disappeared from airspace monitoring near Pepeni in the Singerei district at 2:10 p.m. and reappeared temporarily before being lost again near Meseni in the Rezina district at 2:12 p.m. These events highlight the escalating security threats that Moldova and the region face due to Russia's ongoing conflict with Ukraine.

The incidents of Russian drones intruding into Moldovan airspace during attacks against Ukraine have become increasingly frequent. President Sandu has repeatedly warned that Russia's war against Ukraine is "dangerously reaching Moldova." In response to the growing incursions, Moldova announced plans on October 7 to build shelters at border crossings to safeguard border guards and nearby residents.

The decision followed a report on October 5 by the Moldovan Border Police stating that a projectile from a Russian attack against Ukraine had struck a passenger bus and a border control booth at the Palanca-Maiaky-Udobne crossing, lightly injuring a border guard.