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Explosive Drone Found in Moldova 500 Meters From Ukraine Border
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A drone containing explosive material was discovered in southern Moldova near the border with Ukraine, NewsMaker reported on March 17.
According to the outlet, the unmanned aerial vehicle was found in a field near the village of Tudora, about 500 meters from the Ukrainian border. Emergency services and bomb disposal specialists were sent to the scene.
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The General Inspectorate of Police later reported that the drone was still active and carried an explosive charge. Specialists planned to carry out a controlled detonation at the site. Local residents were evacuated, and authorities urged the public to remain calm and follow instructions from law enforcement.
Border Police said the alarm code was activated at 09:55 after residents reported a suspicious object near the Tudora border post.
Authorities also said that during the night border guards observed and heard an aircraft resembling a Shahed-type drone flying near the Yaski (Ukraine)—Crocmaz (Moldova) direction. The drone was seen at an altitude of up to 150 meters, briefly crossed Moldovan airspace, and then headed toward the village of Coplani.
Similar incidents have been reported before, with Moldovan authorities previously discovering drones believed to be of Russian origin. On January 17, one such drone was found near a lake in Moldova’s Telenești district.
Officials identified the unmanned aerial vehicle as a Geran-type drone, similar to those previously discovered on Moldovan territory.
According to NewsMaker, the device was spotted by a local hunter, who notified police after finding the drone on the lakeshore. Moldova’s General Inspectorate of Police said the UAV was about 2.5 meters long and was not equipped with explosives.
In a statement cited by NewsMaker, Moldova’s Foreign Ministry described the incident as a threat to national security and a breach of the country’s sovereignty.
“The Republic of Moldova condemns such violations and the aggressive war of the Russian Federation against Ukraine, which also threatens the safety of our citizens,” the ministry said.
Additionally, in the Moldovan village of Pepeni, a farmer discovered a Russian drone in his field and initially took it home instead of reporting it to authorities. He transported the drone using a motorized cart, removed its engine, and only later decided to hand it over to the village mayor, Oleg Cernei, after returning.
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