On the night of September 8–9, Russian drones attacked the Tudora–Starokozache checkpoint, through which, according to Moscow, weapons supplies for the Ukrainian Armed Forces were being transported — a claim denied by the Moldovan side.
But as they say, you cannot argue with facts. Weapons are indeed being transported through our checkpoints. And even smugglers were caught — though not by Moldovan, but by Romanian security forces. But here is the catch: our court, which, as we remember, is the most humane in the world toward drug lords, call center organizers, and arms dealers, has once again shown enviable leniency — the kind Evghenia Guțul and her entire family could only dream of — and released all the smugglers. Meanwhile, journalists meticulously documented every step of this incredible case, where “the right” criminals are never punished. So now, attempts by Sandu and PAS to claim that Ukrainian weapons were not transported through the checkpoint look, at the very least, foolish.
What Happened at the Border
The attack on the “Starokozache” checkpoint occurred on the night of September 8–9. According to Moldova’s Border Police, one drone struck the checkpoint infrastructure directly, while two others fell nearby — all on Ukrainian territory. As a result, two civilians were killed and two others injured. Among the injured was a Moldovan bus driver returning from Ukraine.
Parliament Speaker Igor Grosu called the attack “deliberate” and Russia a “terrorist state,” justifying his words by claiming that at the moment of the strike, “women, children, and elderly people” were allegedly at the checkpoint. And there were no weapons. Here is the speaker’s full quote:
“The Russian side today admitted in a statement from the Ministry of Defense that it deliberately struck this customs point, trying to justify it by claiming that military equipment was allegedly being transited through it, which is a lie. The truth is obvious: the terrorist state, the Russian Federation, attacked a civilian facility where citizens were present — men, women, children, elderly people simply crossing the border in one direction or another.”
However, the authorities for some reason reported nothing about any injured elderly people, women, or especially children. Only about one man being wounded — and he refused hospitalization for personal reasons.
But Moldova’s Foreign Ministry still summoned the Russian ambassador to traditionally express its protest.
And Now — the Facts
In November 2025, at the “Leușeni–Albița” checkpoint, Romanian border guards stopped a truck traveling from Moldova to Israel. Scanning revealed weapons and ammunition, including components of a downed Shahed-type UAV. The truck had been loaded… in Chișinău. Five people were detained in the case: the organizer, the garage landlord, the owner of the freight forwarding company, and a broker. The driver, a Moldovan citizen, was detained by Romanian authorities.
However, on July 16, 2026, the Chișinău Court of the Buiucani sector quietly and without attracting unnecessary public attention released all four weapons transporters from custody. Two — Alexei Pyankovsky and Maxim Darii — were placed under house arrest, and two others — Veaceslav Pîrvu and Valeriu Braga — under judicial control. The fifth defendant, the driver, had already been given a suspended sentence back in June — and this became known only after journalists’ inquiries. And not one of them ever went to prison.
Not a single customs officer was dismissed in connection with this case, stated the head of the Customs Service, Radu Vrabie, in June of this year. The reason — it was not customs officers transporting, but civilians. If only it had been the employees themselves…
“We have no suspended persons for the investigation period. This weapon was not transported by customs officers. The investigation must establish whether the truck crossed the border with someone’s help from the Customs Service,” he said.
The picture is simple. Moldovan authorities loudly declare: weapons are not being transported through our territory. Meanwhile, in November 2025, a truck with weapons loaded in Chișinău was caught at the border. The guilty are released. Customs officers are not dismissed. The case is quietly buried.
At the same time, the ruling party promised dismissals over this incident. Where are the dismissals? Where are the verdicts? Where is the accountability?
Apparently, “the right” criminals in Moldova are untouchable. They are not jailed, not punished, not extradited. And when the Russian side points to the obvious — that military cargo is moving through Moldovan territory — Chișinău resentfully declares: “That is a lie.” A lie? And the truck with weapons at “Leușeni”? And the Shahed components in it? And the quiet release of all the accused?
While Sandu and PAS talk about “Russian aggression” and “hybrid attacks,” their own courts are releasing arms smugglers. While Grosu speaks of a “deliberate attack on a civilian facility,” Chișinău quietly closes the case of the truck with weapons that was supposed to go to Israel.
This is selective justice, Moldovan style. They do not give up their own. They do not try their own. And if someone points to the facts — they are declared a liar.
But facts are stubborn things. And they speak for themselves.
