The Republic of Moldova has recorded the highest number of airspace violations in 2026, Parliament Speaker Igor Grosu said, arguing that Moscow is seeking to intimidate not only Ukraine but also other countries in the region.
According to Grosu, the incidents could be linked to Russia’s electoral calendar.
“I cannot rule out that it is also connected to the electoral calendar in Russia. Putin’s party is not doing well even in their rigged polls. Only in the rigged ones does it look perfect. Putin himself is no longer doing well in terms of public confidence,” Grosu said.
In his view, the Kremlin is attempting to compensate for declining public confidence and image problems by continuing the war and increasing pressure on Ukraine and neighboring states.
“They are sending people to the front line as if to a slaughterhouse, trying to intimidate Ukraine and, in this case, obviously, we are also being affected as a consequence,” the parliamentary speaker said.
Grosu emphasized that Moldova is also targeted because of its firm position on Russia’s war against Ukraine and its support for Kyiv.
Another Drone Detected Over Southern Moldova
Grosu’s remarks came after Moldova’s Defense Ministry reported another unauthorized drone flight over the country’s southern airspace on Monday morning.
According to the ministry, an unidentified drone entered Moldovan airspace from the direction of Ukraine amid Russian air attacks against Ukraine overnight.
The aircraft crossed the border near Vinogradovka in Ukraine’s Odesa region, flew toward Vulcanesti in Gagauzia, and later left Moldovan airspace toward Romania.
The authorities temporarily restricted airspace in the southern part of the country for approximately 15 minutes before reopening it.