Drone violated Moldovan airspace during Russia's attack on Ukraine

Moldovan surveillance systems detected the drone crossing the border at 00:20 on June 8. Later, its fragments were found in an agricultural plot near the town of Lopatna.

The NewsMaker media says that the drone discovery was reported to the police by a local resident who noticed it outside the town. Shortly after that, the drone exploded.

Moldova’s Defence Ministry does not specify the origin of the drone, stating only that its fragments are currently being examined, but mentions that Russia attacked Ukraine with drones and missiles last night.

Moldova’s Foreign Ministry issued a statement in which it “strongly condemned” the incident with an “unidentified aircraft,” which “once again emphasises the risks and consequences that Russia’s aggressive war against Ukraine poses for regional security and neighbouring states.”

The Ministry calls the drone an incident that poses a threat to national security and is a violation of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the state. The statement emphasised that “in the face of these challenges,” Moldova will continue to strengthen its defence capabilities and resilience.

Updated at 12:05 pm. Moldova’s Foreign Ministry added that the drone is “most likely of Ukrainian origin,” but emphasised that Russia is the one to bear responsibility for this, “having launched an illegal war in a neighbouring country,” NewsMaker says.

Meanwhile, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha issued a statement, calling it “yet another Russian drone” that had entered the country.

Ukrainian Air Force earlier reported that 155 drones attacked Ukraine overnight on June 8, 124 of which were shot down. In particular, the Odesa region, which borders Moldova, was under attack. Odesa Regional Military Administration said that Russia attacked an energy facility, which caused power outages for more than a thousand consumers.

In addition, three people were injured at a public transport stop in Odesa, and in the Odesa region, a suburban home was set ablaze, and a critical infrastructure facility was damaged. In Chornomorsk, a drone hit a residential building, no injuries were reported.