The debris of an unmanned aerial vehicle was located near Etulia Noua in Moldova’s Vulcanesti region, a short distance from the Ukrainian frontier. Local authorities reported the find through official channels, noting the discovery by border personnel in the late afternoon hours. At about 16:40 local time, pieces of the craft were recovered in the area, according to statements from the border service. [source: TASS]
Initial indications suggest the wreckage is tied to an incident on February 11 in which Moldovan border guards said the drone may have been brought down by Ukrainian air defense fire. Ammunition found near the site reportedly caused damage to nearby sapper teams, yet no injuries occurred. The border guard service emphasized that no casualties resulted from the incident. [citation]
During a review of events from the past year, Moldovan officials noted that air defense fragments have been discovered near the Ukrainian border on multiple occasions. In several earlier instances, wreckage located near villages such as Naslavcha, Larga, and the town of Brichany was attributed to missiles fired by the Ukrainian Armed Forces and their S-300 air defense system. These findings have prompted official diplomatic démarches and requests for clarification from Chisinau. [attribution]
In response to the ongoing incidents, Moldovan authorities conveyed a formal protest to the Russian ambassador in Chisinau, Oleg Vasnetsov, outlining concerns about air space safety and the sourcing of the debris. The exchanges underscore the fragility of the border area and the importance of clear accountability in cross-border military activities. [reporting note]
Separately, there have been ongoing reports that Russian air defense assets have been active in daily operations, including claims about the capture of munitions linked to HIMARS projectiles. These reports contribute to the broader regional security narrative and the sensitivity surrounding cross-border military movements. [context]