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Moldova Finds Camera Equipped Russian Gerbera Drone on Its Territory for First Time
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Moldovan police on September 24 preliminarily identified a drone found in the Florești district as a Gerbera-type aircraft used by Russia, marking the first detection of the type on Moldovan territory.
The General Inspectorate of Police announced the findings after experts from its Technical and Explosives Investigation Division examined the wreckage. According to police, the aircraft displayed elements specific to the Gerbera type used by Russia and was equipped with an onboard camera.
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"According to preliminary findings, this is the first time a device of this type has been detected on the territory of the Republic of Moldova," the Moldovan Police wrote.
The experts determined that the drone collided with a tree, fell to the ground and exploded, the General Inspectorate stated.
Police said examinations are continuing to establish the exact model, manufacturer, technical characteristics, and circumstances of the incident, with a final identification pending specialist analysis.
The discovery came after Moldova’s Defense Ministry reported four drone-related airspace incidents on the morning of September 24 during Russia’s mass attack on Ukraine.
The first object was spotted at 05:21, followed by additional detections at 06:14, 06:35, and 06:58.
Around 07:45, a resident of Vadul Rașcov in the Șoldănești district reported loud noises resembling explosions.
Police said preliminary information indicated that one explosion may have occurred in Camenca, on the left bank of the Dniester.
A separate report described another explosion near Cernița in the Florești district.
Police later located the site of the Cernița explosion in a field adjacent to a farm. No casualties were initially reported, and specialized units were sent to the area to examine the wreckage and establish the circumstances of the incident.
Authorities urged residents to remain calm, avoid approaching unknown or suspicious objects found on the ground, and immediately contact emergency services.
The Gerbera is a low-cost drone used by Russia, commonly deployed as a decoy alongside Shahed-type strike drones, although armed variants also exist. Built largely from plywood and foam, the basic version has a range of roughly 700 kilometers, while modified variants can fly farther.
Ukrainian estimates put the production cost at roughly $10,000 per aircraft. The relatively low cost allows Russia to deploy the drones in large numbers and complicate air defense operations.
The discovery follows weeks of drone incidents along Moldova's border with Ukraine's Odesa region.
On August 9, a drone exploded near Krokmaz in the Ștefan Vodă district, damaging several farm structures.
On August 17, a Russian Banderol loitering munition crossed from Ukraine and crashed near the village of Tălmaza, and on August 27, five drones entered Moldovan airspace during an overnight Russian assault.
On September 17, another unidentified drone crossed the border near Tudora and left two minutes later, the third such violation within days.
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