Russian missile shot down by Ukraine lands in Moldova

Remnants of a Russian missile shot down by Kyiv forces fell on a Moldovan village on the border with Ukraine on Monday, Chisinau reported, causing material damage but no casualties.

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“A missile shot down by Ukrainian anti-aircraft defenses fell in the northern tip of the Naslavsia region of the Republic of Moldova, close to the border with Ukraine,” the Moldovan Interior Ministry said in a statement.

“So far, there has been no casualty, but the windows of several houses have been destroyed,” he added. According to the same source, “The impact zone has been sealed off and a team from the Home Ministry is on site to assess the situation”.

Moldova’s foreign minister, Nigu Popescu, announced the expulsion of a Russian diplomat in protest against “the intensification of Russian attacks against Ukraine, which have serious consequences for Moldova.”

“The Russian Ambassador was summoned earlier today and informed of our decision to declare a Russian diplomat persona non grata,” he wrote on Twitter.

Ukraine faced a “massive attack” from Moscow on Monday, with dozens of missiles fired at its energy infrastructure, according to reports.

Moldova’s debris fall highlights the risks posed by Russia’s aggression against Ukraine to this small country of 2.6 million people, a candidate for entry into the European Union and which is fueling the aftermath of the war.

On October 10, Moldova condemned the violation of its airspace by three Russian cruise missiles fired in the direction of Ukraine by ships in the Black Sea.