Moldova recalled its ambassador from Russia: what happened

Moldova recalled its ambassador from the Russian Federation after the crash and explosion of a Russian drone on the country’s territory. The Moldovan Foreign Ministry reported this. The incident occurred on 9 August near the settlement of Crocmaz in the Ștefan Vodă district. According to experts, the device exploded at an altitude of about 2,5 meters after colliding with a tree in a shelterbelt. Debris from the drone damaged several households. No one was injured. Preliminary analysis showed that the fragments have characteristics that may indicate a “drone-rocket” type. It is likely a Russian loitering munition called “Banderol,” launched during an attack on 9 August. This type of aircraft was recorded in Moldova for the first time. The investigation is ongoing. Specialists must determine the exact type and origin of the device, as well as all the circumstances of the incident. Moldova’s president, Maia Sandu, said that the country’s airspace has been violated repeatedly over recent years. “Russia’s war against Ukraine directly affects us. It is Russia that is conducting this aggressive war and bears responsibility for the danger it creates for our citizens’ homes,” Sandu emphasized. According to her, the number of such incidents increased significantly in 2026. As of 9 August, 15 cases of unauthorized overflights of aircraft through the country’s airspace had been recorded in Moldova. “FACTS” remind readers that Russia has likely begun using captured Ukrainian long-range drones for provocations. On 8 August, an unknown drone crashed into a field about 100 meters from the border between Bulgaria and Romania and exploded. Earlier, the Bulgarian Ministry of Defense said the drone could have been a Ukrainian decoy drone of the “Maia” type used by the Armed Forces of Ukraine. At the same time, the ministry does not currently believe the drone deliberately violated Bulgarian airspace.