EU Allocates €120 Million to Strengthen Moldova's Air Defense
The European Union has granted €120 million to Moldova for air defense amid repeated Russian drone incursions into its airspace linked to the war in Ukraine.
The European Union announced on Monday a €120 million aid package to Moldova to bolster its air defense capabilities, citing the threat from drones following Russia's war against Ukraine. Moldova's airspace has been violated dozens of times since Russia's full-scale invasion in 2022, with the latest incident occurring today in the eastern part of the country.
Moldovan police found a drone overnight in the east, identified by the Defense Ministry as a Russian "Shahed" attack drone carrying 40 kilograms of explosives, which experts detonated. No casualties were reported. The Foreign Ministry strongly condemned the incident as a serious and unacceptable violation of Moldova's airspace.
The EU support will fund medium-range air defense systems for Moldova's armed forces. The Foreign Ministry welcomed the aid, stating it will contribute to the modernization of air defense capabilities in the medium term. President Maia Sandu has previously acknowledged the need to strengthen the country's anti-drone systems.
Russian drones have repeatedly entered or crashed in Moldova, without causing injuries or significant damage. On a previous occasion, the Foreign Ministry displayed one such drone outside its building while summoning the Russian ambassador for talks.
