ISTANBUL

Moldova summoned Russia's ambassador on Thursday to protest what it described as a "new and serious violation" of its airspace, citing drone debris fallen in the country as evidence.

The Moldovan side conveyed strong protest against the violations during a meeting with Russian Ambassador Oleg Ozerov, during which debris from the fallen drone was shown, said a statement from the country's Foreign Ministry.

Such incidents pose a serious threat to national security and citizens, the statement said, adding that Ozerov was told that such actions constitute a violation of Moldova’s sovereignty and are “another unfriendly gesture” from Moscow.

“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs reiterated its call to the Russian authorities to immediately cease these incursions and to strictly respect the sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity of the Republic of Moldova,” the statement added.

In response to the incident, the Foreign Ministry announced that Moldova has decided to close the branch of Russia's information and cultural center in the capital, Chisinau.

The country decided to unilaterally terminate the Moldovan-Russian intergovernmental agreement on the establishment and operation of cultural centers, which had been in effect since 1998, it said.

The ministry later posted a video of Ozerov being presented with fragments of the drones that fell in Moldova, describing them as “concrete evidence of these serious violations against the people of our country.”

Relations between Russia and Moldova, a former Soviet republic, have deteriorated since 2003 and have completely deteriorated since President Maia Sandu, a pro-Western figure, was elected in 2020.

Sandu's condemnation of Russia's "special military operation" in Ukraine has exacerbated tensions. She has also accused Moscow of attempting to orchestrate her ouster and "destabilize" Moldova, which Russia has denied.

Earlier in the day, Moldova's Border Police said in a statement that several types of drones reportedly crossed into Moldova during an overnight Russian drone attack in neighboring Ukraine.

It said one of the drones fell on an agricultural field near the village of Ciumai, while another exploded on a field in the region between the towns of Ceadir Lunga and Valea Perjei, all of which are situated near Moldova's border with Ukraine.