Interior Minister Daniella Misail-Nichitin urged citizens not to touch or move fallen drones or similar objects and stressed that anyone who discovers such items must immediately call 112.
Her warning followed a police intervention on 3 December in the locality of Pepeni, in northern Sângerei district, where officers removed drone components that a local resident had taken home.
Misail-Nichitin explained that locals found the drone near Pepeni, and authorities secured the area. She noted that the device did not pose a threat because it contained no explosives.
However, she emphasized the following:
“I warn all citizens: when you find or see flying objects—including those on the ground—you must not touch or move them. You must immediately call 112 or notify the police so they can establish a safe zone. These objects can be dangerous. The police are responsible for all required measures in such cases.”
According to the minister, experts continue examining the drone components and will provide more details once the analysis is complete. She also said that the man who found, transported, and disassembled the device will be questioned, and authorities will apply the necessary measures, depending on how serious his actions were.
Police identified the drone as a Russian Gerbera-type unmanned aerial vehicle, used as a decoy system. Such devices can serve as improvised attack means or be used for surveillance and reconnaissance, including detecting anti-aircraft systems and monitoring the impact of other aerial platforms.
The drone had been found earlier on a hillside, where two men dismantled it, removed its engine and other parts, and brought it into the village without alerting authorities.