Moldovan authorities have reported the explosion of a drone near the road between Ivancea and Brănești in the Orhei district on the evening of September 30. The incident occurred after Moldova detected an unauthorized aerial object entering its airspace.
According to Moldova's Ministry of Defense, the object crossed the country's border at around 20:45 from the direction of Shershentsi in Ukraine's Vinnytsia region. It then flew toward the Transnistrian segment of Moldova and the village of Țipova in the Rezina district before disappearing from monitoring systems near Brănești.
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The object was later located near the road connecting Ivancea and Brănești, after local residents reported a loud sound resembling an explosion. Moldovan police dispatched specialized teams to the area to secure the site and determine what had happened.
Preliminary findings by police explosives specialists indicate that the object had characteristics associated with the Geran family of drones and was equipped with a turbojet engine. Investigators said the drone apparently collided with trees before falling to the ground and exploding.
The incident temporarily affected traffic on the road, with authorities closing the route in both directions because of the potential danger posed by the debris. Drivers were instructed to avoid the area and use alternative routes until the threat was eliminated.
Moldova's authorities have not publicly established the origin or precise designation of the drone. The country's Ministry of Defense described it as an unauthorized aerial object and said that monitoring of Moldovan airspace was being conducted in coordination with relevant authorities and partners.
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