Why Moldova summoned the Russian ambassador

According to Moldovan authorities, the Foreign Ministry delivered a protest note condemning what it described as a serious breach of sovereignty and territorial integrity, NewsMaker reports. Officials said they are seeking explanations from Moscow and warned that such incidents pose risks to regional stability and public safety, News.Az reports, citing Deschide.md.

The ministry said the drone crossed Moldovan airspace from north to south before disappearing from radar.

Separately, the Foreign Ministry also summoned Ozerov over an oil spill in the Dniester River, which Moldova says was caused by a Russian strike on the Novodnistrovsk Hydroelectric Power Station in Ukraine’s western Chernivtsi region.

In a statement cited by Anadolu Ajansı, the ministry said it “strongly condemns this attack,” adding that it caused oil pollution in the river, which provides water for around 80% of Moldova’s population and nearly all of the capital Chisinau.

“The Republic of Moldova strongly condemns this attack, which caused oil spills into the Dniester River, generating major risks for the environment and the security of the Republic of Moldova’s water supply,” the ministry said.

It added that such actions “endanger the environment, the security of the water supply and the health of the citizens of the Republic of Moldova and cannot be accepted.”

Moldovan President Maia Sandu said the country had declared an environmental alert following the spill, blaming the incident on an attack on the hydroelectric facility in Ukraine. “Russia bears full responsibility,” she said in a post on X.

Prime Minister Alexandru Munteanu said a 15-day environmental alert had been approved, while authorities have introduced measures including filters and dams to limit further contamination.

Russian officials have not publicly commented on the allegations.