Moldovan President Maia Sandu has condemned Russia’s latest drone attack on Ukraine, which struck the Starokazachie border crossing in the Odesa region, just one kilometer from Moldova’s border.
The overnight attack on September 8–9 killed two Ukrainian citizens and injured several people, including a Moldovan citizen.
“Last night, Russia once again brought terror to Ukraine. Cities and communities were attacked, and the brutal war reached our border,” Sandu said.
She noted that the Starokazachie crossing, located on Ukrainian territory just one kilometer from Moldova, was hit by drones, killing two people whose identities had not yet been established at the time of her statement.
Sandu also referred to another recent incident involving a Russian drone that entered Moldovan airspace, crossed into Romania, returned to Moldova and crashed in the Rîșcani district.
“Even though it caused no casualties, such a violation represents an enormous risk to the lives of our people, to villages and cities, and to the aircraft that fly through our skies,” the president said.
Sandu criticized those who, despite the recent incidents, continue to argue that Russia is not the aggressor or that the war in neighboring Ukraine does not concern Moldova.
“It is difficult to believe that, in the face of this reality, there are still voices trying to convince Moldovans that Russia is not the aggressor or that the war next to us does not concern us,” she said.
The president also accused those who oppose efforts to strengthen Moldova’s defense capabilities of choosing “betrayal over the safety of their own people.”
“We choose to do everything in our power to protect our people. To strengthen our ability to protect our skies and borders. And to call things by their name and remain on the side of good,” Sandu said.
The attack on Starokazachie damaged infrastructure at the Ukrainian border crossing. Russia has officially acknowledged carrying out the attack, claiming that the checkpoint’s infrastructure was being used for the transit and delivery of Western military supplies intended for the Ukrainian Armed Forces.
Moldova’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has strongly condemned Russia’s attacks against Ukraine.
Parliament Speaker Igor Grosu and Prime Minister Vasile Tofan have also issued statements concerning the attack.