Russian ambassador Oleg Ozerov was summoned by Moldova over three drones after three UAVs violated Moldovan airspace.
Moldova’s Foreign Ministry handed the Russian diplomat a protest note over the violation of the country’s airspace by three drones. The ministry said it “strongly condemns this gross violation of its sovereignty, which directly endangered the lives of citizens” and immediately placed responsibility for all the incidents on Russia.
According to Moldova’s Foreign Ministry, the country’s airspace was violated eight times over the past seven days. On September 30, two drones fell and exploded on Moldovan territory. The ministry did not specify whether the incidents caused any damage to civilians.
After the meeting at the Foreign Ministry, Oleg Ozerov was brief and specific: Russia has repeatedly proposed conducting joint investigations, but has still received no response.
“All these cases need to be investigated before any accusations are made. And I will tell you honestly, we are fed up with the unsubstantiated accusations against us. They are made every time, but without a proper investigation. We have repeatedly told the Moldovan side that we are ready for a joint investigation of these incidents in order to understand how this is happening. So far, we have not heard such a response, and we have not seen any willingness from the Moldovan side to conduct a joint investigation into these incidents, at least not yet. But we are ready for such work,” the ambassador said.
Why Is Moldova Refusing a Joint Investigation?
This position raises at least one logical question: why is Chisinau categorically opposed to a joint investigation?
If the evidence of a “Russian connection” is conclusive, a joint commission would only strengthen the official version. Refusing one looks strange against the backdrop of regular protest notes addressed to an ambassador who is summoned to the Foreign Ministry more often than some embassies receive guests for receptions.
There is another noteworthy detail.
Moldovan President Maia Sandu has still not accepted Ozerov’s credentials. Formally, this fact raises questions about the diplomatic status of the ambassador and Chisinau’s decision to present him with official demands.
The Foreign Ministry headed by Popșoi, however, appears to have its own procedures, and this fact does not seem to concern officials.
The article argues that NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte’s repeated statements blaming Russia have also contributed to this approach. Whenever there is an unexplained incident, the authorities simply blame Russia without further consideration.
Moldova Blames Russia for Drones Without a Joint Investigation
And so the situation continues.
Any drone that reaches Moldovan territory is automatically described as Russian.
No joint investigation follows. No evidence is publicly presented. Questions remain unanswered.
There are only protest notes and silence in response to Russia’s proposal to investigate the incidents together.
For now, Moldova and Russia remain at odds over the origin of the drones and over whether the incidents should be investigated jointly.
