Five Drones Breach Moldova in 15 Minutes as Explosions and Wreckage Reported Across Country

Five drones crossed Moldova’s airspace within just 15 minutes on the morning of October 3, as explosions were reported across several districts and authorities discovered drone wreckage at multiple locations. No casualties have been reported.

According to Moldova’s Ministry of Defense, the five unmanned aerial vehicles entered the country’s airspace between 7:45 a.m. and 8:00 a.m. during a large-scale Russian aerial attack on neighboring Ukraine. Moldova’s Air Operations Service continued monitoring the country’s airspace together with other authorities and international partners.

Residents reported explosions near several communities in the Căușeni, Ștefan Vodă, Anenii Noi, and Hîncești districts. Moldova’s Defense Ministry said blasts were heard outside Crocmaz, Delacău, Puhăceni, Bozieni, Dubovca, and Constantinovca, among other locations.

Police received a report at around 7:50 a.m. of an explosion outside the city of Căușeni, where residents saw thick smoke. Officers subsequently discovered drone fragments at the site.

Additional drone debris was discovered outside the village of Dubovca in Hîncești district and between the villages of Delacău and Puhăceni in Anenii Noi district.

Near Crocmaz in the Ștefan Vodă district, an explosion occurred in a vineyard close to an agricultural facility. The blast sparked a vegetation fire and damaged windows in the building. Police later confirmed that drone fragments had been found in the area. No injuries were reported.

Authorities later reported another debris site near Constantinovca in Căușeni district, where the explosion also started a vegetation fire.

Police and National Army teams were dispatched to investigate the incidents and secure the affected areas. Authorities urged residents not to approach, touch, or move unidentified objects or suspected drone fragments and instead contact emergency services by calling 112.

Moldova’s Foreign Ministry strongly condemned the violation of the country’s airspace, saying the five-drone incursion occurred amid Russia’s large-scale attacks against Ukraine.

“Russia’s war against Ukraine continues to generate concrete threats to our country and to the security of the entire region,” the ministry said.

Earlier, on September 30, Moldova recorded three airspace violations in a single day, including an unidentified airborne object that entered from Ukraine and crossed toward the Transnistria region. Authorities temporarily closed airspace over central Moldova before restoring flight operations later that evening.

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