Moldovan police investigate residents' reports of unidentified flying objects

Moldovan police are continuing to investigate after residents of two districts reported suspicious sightings in the sky overnight into September 20.

At around 1:50 a.m., a resident of the village of Berezlodji contacted police in Orhei to report seeing a flying object resembling a drone. Shortly after, around 2:00 a.m., a resident of the village of Dereneu called police in Călărași, saying they had seen a bright light in the sky followed by an explosion.

No evidence found

Law enforcement officers responded immediately and searched the reported areas, including locations outside populated settlements. According to preliminary findings, no debris, impact marks or fire damage were found that would confirm an explosion on the ground or the crash of any object. Police say the investigation continues in order to establish all the circumstances and document the incidents.

Authorities reminded citizens that if they spot flying objects, explosions or suspicious items that have fallen to the ground, they should not approach them and should immediately call the 112 emergency line.

Part of a wider pattern

The reports follow a series of similar incidents in Moldova. On September 18, police found drone debris in the village of Colonița near Chișinău. That same night, a loud explosion was heard in a Chișinău suburb, though Moldova's Defense Ministry said no airspace violation had been detected that night. On the morning of September 19, Moldova's border police recorded several unidentified aircraft violating the country's airspace in the Ștefan Vodă district.