Moldova announced a decision to declare a Russian embassy employee persona non grata after a drone carrying explosives was found near homes in the Telenești district, the Moldovan Foreign Ministry said on October 23.
According to officials, the aircraft fell near the village of Chiștelnița, about 100 meters from a house. No injuries were reported. Moldovan law enforcement officers examined the site and said the drone contained explosives.
President Maia Sandu linked the incident to Russian attacks on Ukraine and described it as a violation of Moldovan airspace and a threat to residents. The Foreign Ministry also condemned the incident and announced a diplomatic measure against a Russian representative.
The drone's origin and presumed Russian affiliation are reported on the basis of information from Moldovan authorities. No independent technical examination of the wreckage had been made public when the decision was announced. The Russian position on this specific incident was not documented in the sources used.
Moldova has previously reported drones and drone fragments landing on its territory during Russia's war against Ukraine. Such incidents have prompted protests by Chișinău and demands that the country's sovereignty be respected.