Russia declared one of the employees of the Moldovan Embassy in Moscow persona non grata in response to the expulsion of a Russian diplomat from Chisinau. The decision is a continuation of the diplomatic conflict that arose after a Russian drone carrying explosives crashed on Moldovan territory.
The Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced this on Tuesday, November 10.
According to the Russian Foreign Ministry, Moldovan Ambassador Lilian Darii was summoned to the ministry. He was formally protested against the decision of the Moldovan authorities on October 23 to declare an employee of the Russian Embassy in Chisinau persona non grata.
During the meeting, the Moldovan diplomat was handed a note about Moscow's retaliatory measures. The Russian side declared one of the employees of the Moldovan Embassy persona non grata, citing the principle of reciprocity in diplomatic relations.
The name of the Moldovan diplomatic mission employee affected by the decision was not disclosed by the Russian Foreign Ministry. It was also not specified within what timeframe he must leave the territory of Russia.
Moscow claims that Chisinau used the discovery of a drone with explosives as a formal pretext for expelling the Russian diplomat.
The Russian ministry stated that the Moldovan side allegedly did not provide evidence of the Russian origin of the found aircraft. On this basis, Moscow called Chisinau's decision unfounded.
In addition, the Russian Foreign Ministry accused the Moldovan authorities of intending to worsen bilateral relations and create obstacles to the work of the Russian diplomatic mission.
The diplomatic conflict began after the incident on October 23 in the village of Chistelnita, Telenesti district of Moldova. There, about 100 meters from a residential building, a crashed drone with explosives was discovered.
According to Moldovan law enforcement, police and specialists from the explosive ordnance disposal service arrived at the scene. The area was cordoned off to examine the aircraft and ensure the safety of local residents. No injuries were reported.
Moldovan President Maia Sandu stated that the country's airspace was violated by a Russian strike drone of the "Geran" type, which crashed not far from residential buildings and an energy facility.
The head of state called the incident dangerous and announced the expulsion of one employee of the Russian Embassy.
The Moldovan Ministry of Foreign Affairs also condemned the violation of airspace, characterizing it as a threat to state sovereignty and the safety of citizens.
Chisinau stressed that such incidents are related to the ongoing Russian attacks on Ukraine, the consequences of which extend beyond Ukrainian territory.
Earlier, the Moldovan Defense Ministry reported numerous violations of the country's airspace by drones. According to the state agency Moldpres, in October alone, 19 such cases were recorded, six of which were accompanied by explosions when the aircraft collided with the ground.
Moscow's current decision was a response to the already executed expulsion of a Russian diplomat, not a new drone episode. As of the time of publication, there had been no official reaction from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Moldova to the measures announced by Russia.
Sources: Russian MFA, Moldpres, NewsMaker.
