Sandu slams Russia as attack debris hits Moldova in latest airspace violation

Moldovan President Maia Sandu on Saturday hit out at Moscow after saying debris from five Russian air attack weapons violated the country’s airspace and exploded on the country’s territory.

“I condemn Russia’s attack on Ukraine this morning. Its war is dangerously reaching Moldova,” she wrote on X. “Russian air attack weapons, including Banderol missiles and drones, violated our airspace and exploded on our soil.”

In all, three missiles and two drones flew over the country between 7.45 a.m. and 8 a.m., with fragments later found in the country’s eastern districts of Hincesti, Anenii Noi and Causeni. The police were dispatched to secure the debris, which caused a fire to break out but no casualties.

Russian attacks in Ukraine killed at least eight civilians and injured 83 others in the past day, Ukrainian regional authorities said.

Moldova has faced numerous airspace violations and collateral damage, as Russia’s full-scale war rages across in neighboring Ukraine and tensions flare between Chisinau’s pro-EU government and Moscow. Last Wednesday alone it faced three separate airspace violations as Russia pounded Kyiv with drones and missiles.

Meanwhile, Lithuania temporarily closed its airport in Vilnius for around an hour on Saturday morning and scrambled NATO jets after a dangerous object was spotted in the skies, possibly crossing the border from Belarus.

European countries have seen a growing number of incidents, hybrid attacks, sabotage attempts and airspace violations as tensions continue to climb with Russia.