EU Increases Military Support to Moldova After Russian Drone Crash
The European Union has approved new military assistance for Moldova, including a medium-range air defense system, after a Russian Shahed drone with 40 kg of explosives crashed in eastern Moldova.
Moldovan police found an unmanned aerial vehicle in the east of the country overnight, which the Defense Ministry identified as a Russian Shahed attack drone. Experts removed 40 kilograms of explosives from the drone and detonated them. No casualties were reported.
In response, the European Union on the same day approved a new support package to finance a medium-range air defense system for the Moldovan Armed Forces. Moldova's Foreign Ministry strongly condemned the airspace violation as "serious and unacceptable," while welcoming the EU aid, stating it would contribute to the modernization of air defense capabilities in the medium term.
Since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Moldova's airspace has been violated dozens of times. Russian drones have repeatedly entered or crashed on Moldovan territory, so far without casualties or significant damage. Moldova's Foreign Ministry previously displayed one such drone at its entrance when Russia's ambassador was summoned for talks. President Maia Sandu has acknowledged the need to strengthen the country's anti-drone system.
