Moldova's President Maia Sandu has issued a stark warning to Vladimir Putin following a drone crash in her country that she blames on Russia's war against Ukraine. In a post on X, she said the incident was a 'direct consequence of Russia's war' and that the 'risk to human life in our region is real and growing.' She added a three-word warning to the Kremlin: 'It must stop.'
Drone incident details
The drone landed and exploded in the village of Crocmaz, south-east Moldova, on Sunday. It was the latest in a series of similar incidents, coming days after wreckage of a Russian attack drone was found near a village in Moldova's southern Cahul District, and less than a month after another similar incident around 18 miles from Moldova's border with Ukraine.
Local police said the drone struck a tree line outside Crocmaz before exploding and causing a fire. Debris was scattered over a wide distance, and several homes were damaged, but there were no casualties.
Moldova's response
Chisinau's foreign ministry described the crash as a 'grave violation of Moldova's sovereignty and territorial integrity' and announced it had recalled its ambassador to Russia for consultations. Investigators have not yet confirmed the type of weapon, suggesting it could be a 'drone-missile.'
Lithuanian police said the debris contained components similar to those of a guided missile, adding: 'No device of this type has previously been identified on the territory of Moldova.'
Regional context
The incident coincided with a large-scale drone and missile attack on Ukraine's southern Odesa region by Russian forces. Moldova and neighbouring Romania, a NATO member, have frequently reported airspace incursions related to the war in Ukraine. Ukraine's Odesa region, home to major port infrastructure and energy facilities, regularly comes under attack.
Last month, Poland reported a Russian missile capable of carrying nuclear warheads crashed into a field in the east of the country, causing no injuries or damage. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte condemned that incident as a 'yet another reckless act by Russia and a dangerous consequence of its war against Ukraine.'
