Moldovan police found fragments from the drone that exploded outside Hîrbovăț across a radius of about 265 metres, state news agency Moldpres reported. Investigators said the impact and blast occurred roughly 40 metres above ground near a civilian communications antenna. [2]
Police identified blast deformation and thermal marks along about 12 metres of the structure. Communications services were not disrupted, and specialists continued examining components from the airframe, control, power and propulsion systems. [2]
ContextThe Defence Ministry had detected the aircraft entering Moldovan airspace at about 05:43 before it crashed and exploded. The official notices have not identified the operator or origin, and the investigation remains open. [1][2]
Added police findings that the blast affected a civilian communications mast, scattered fragments over roughly 265 metres and caused no service interruption; responsibility remains unassigned.
Published ·
First publication.
Read this earlier version
Drone explodes near Hîrbovăț after crossing Moldovan airspace
Moldova's defence ministry said the aircraft entered national airspace early on 30 September before crashing outside the village in Anenii Noi district.
Moldova's Defence Ministry said its integrated monitoring system detected a drone entering national airspace at about 05:43 on 30 September. The aircraft crashed and exploded outside Hîrbovăț in Anenii Noi district, and police and National Army teams were sent to investigate.
The ministry said air operations continued monitoring in coordination with other authorities and partners. Reuters independently reported that a drone crossed into Moldova and exploded near the village during a wider Russian attack on Ukraine's energy infrastructure.
ContextThe ministry placed the incident in the context of Russia's mass attacks on Ukraine but did not identify the drone's operator or origin in its initial notice. The investigation was still under way when that notice was updated at 07:08 local time.
Border police found fragments 1.7 kilometres inside Moldova; an explosives team reported no explosive substances and removed the debris for examination.
