RUSSIA has denied Moldova’s claim that its drones were in the country at the time of the attack in Ukraine.
“We firmly reject the unfounded anti-Russian attacks that, unfortunately, have become commonplace in the Republic of Moldova,” Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said in a statement.
Zakharova said that there was no evidence provided by Moldova to suggest that the drones came from Russia or were launched from Russia itself.
Zakharova argued that Moscow believed that such evidence would never be provided because there was no evidence.
On Sunday, at least two people were injured in the Odesa region of southwestern Ukraine as a result of an overnight Russian drone strike.
Zakharova said Russia does not use drones on the territory of countries bordering Ukraine and Moscow’s only targets are Ukrainian military facilities and infrastructure.
He further accused Kyiv of intending to provoke Moldova into fully joining military action on the side of Ukraine and the West.
Zakharova further called on the Moldovan authorities to abandon anti-Russian rhetoric and not give in to such provocations.
On Sunday, Moldova’s Foreign Ministry said two Russian drones were spotted in the country’s Causeni and Riscani districts.
They claim to have clear information that the drone was launched from Russia.
“Violation of the airspace of the Republic of Moldova is a serious violation and unfriendly attitude of the Russian Federation. “We demand an immediate halt to the missile launches,” the ministry said in a statement, calling on Moscow to respect Chisinau’s territorial integrity.
Earlier the same day, the Ukrainian Air Force claimed to have downed 62 of the 145 drones launched by Russia overnight in several regions of the country, including the capital Kyiv.
Ten drones launched by Moscow left Ukrainian airspace for Moldova, Belarus and Russia itself. (Anadolu/Fer/P-3)
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**Interview with Dr. Elena Ivanova, Eastern European Affairs Expert**
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Dr. Ivanova, for joining us today. There’s been a significant development regarding the tensions between Russia and Moldova, particularly regarding accusations of drone activity. Can you summarize the situation for our audience?
**Dr. Ivanova:** Certainly. Recently, Moldova claimed that Russian drones were operating within its territory during an attack in Ukraine. Russia has strongly denied these allegations, with Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova stating that Moldova has not provided evidence linking the drones to Russia.
**Interviewer:** What implications could this denial have for regional stability?
**Dr. Ivanova:** This denial is emblematic of the ongoing complexity in Eastern European geopolitics. It highlights the distrust and the narrative battles between Russia and its neighbors. If Moldova’s claims go unproven, it might embolden Russia’s position in the region. However, if further evidence emerges, it could escalate tensions.
**Interviewer:** Zakharova suggested that evidence of Russian drone involvement would never be presented because it doesn’t exist. What does this say about Moscow’s stance?
**Dr. Ivanova:** Moscow’s response reflects its broader strategy of denial and counter-accusation. By dismissing the claims outright, Russia aims to maintain a narrative that it is not the aggressor in the region. It’s a common tactic used to undermine the credibility of neighboring states and to rally nationalistic sentiments at home.
**Interviewer:** With the attack in southwestern Ukraine resulting in injuries, how does this incident affect civilian safety and military operations on the ground?
**Dr. Ivanova:** Each drone attack, whether linked to Russia or not, raises alarms regarding civilian safety. The continued conflict spills over borders, creating a climate of fear. Military operations are also impacted; there may be increased vigilance and countermeasures taken by both sides, which could further escalate the situation.
**Interviewer:** Thank you for your insights, Dr. Ivanova. It’s clear that this situation is multifaceted and will require careful monitoring as it develops.
**Dr. Ivanova:** Thank you for having me. It’s essential to stay informed as these events unfold.
