Russian missiles and drones explode in Moldova; Chișinău summons Russian envoy

Between 07:45 and 08:00 on 3 October 2026, during massive Russian attacks on Ukraine, five objects – three missiles and two drones, by the Defence Ministry's count – overflew Moldova and exploded on the ground near Căușeni, Constantinovca (Căușeni), Crocmaz (Ștefan Vodă), Puhăceni (Anenii Noi) and Dubovca (Hîncești); a sixth unauthorised flight crossed near Palanca. Police reported a vineyard fire at Crocmaz and no casualties. The same day the MFA summoned Russia's ambassador-designate Oleg Ozerov over the incursion of 'five drones and missiles'. Incursions continued: the MoD logged seven incidents on 10–16 October, including drone fragments with explosives at Geamăna (Anenii Noi), and on 16 October a drone fell and exploded in a field near Codrenii Noi (Dondușeni).

Established by. Ministry of Defence, 3 Oct 2026 (army.md, 'Precizează'): of five objects, three were missiles and two drones, which exploded on the ground; 'În total, astăzi, 3 octombrie, sistemele de supraveghere ale Armatei Naționale, au detectat șase zboruri neautorizate.' Defence Minister Anatolie Nosatîi (TVR Moldova via Kyiv Independent): 'We have five cases, three missiles and two drones.' President Maia Sandu on X: Russia's war is 'dangerously reaching Moldova'; 'Moscow is putting lives at risk across Europe and must be stopped' (she referred to Banderol missiles). MFA, 3 Oct (via Agenzia Nova, English): summoned 'the ambassador-designate of the Russian Federation to Chisinau' over the 'unauthorized incursion into the airspace of the Republic of Moldova by five drones and missiles'. MFA, 16 Oct (via Logos Press): 'Aceste incidente constituie o încălcare gravă a suveranității și integrității teritoriale a țării noastre', citing 'consecințele directe ale războiului de agresiune al Federației Ruse împotriva Ucrainei'.

Latest. As of 16 Oct 2026 the MoD counted 63 airspace incidents in 2026 (15 of them in October) and 100 since 2022. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on 15 Oct that ties could improve only if Moldova 'abandoned its policies based on Russophobia' (Reuters); Ozerov has repeatedly denied that the drones are Russian.

Link to the war against Ukraine. The Ministry of Defence linked every incursion to massive Russian missile and drone attacks on Ukraine, mostly across the border from Odesa region.