Moldova, a former Soviet republic neighbouring war-torn Ukraine, closed its airspace on Tuesday for over two hours, local Moldovan media reports. This comes shortly after the country claimed that Russia was planning to destabilise the region.
Moldovan flag-carrier airline Air Moldova first warned of the closure in the morning. A short while later, the Civil Aviation Authority confirmed that air space had been closed between 11:24 and 14:47, but gave no reason for the closure. One Moldovan newspaper spoke of a “foreign drone” which had entered the country’s airspace, but this has not been confirmed.
There has been mounting tension in the region in recent weeks, with the Ukrainian intelligence service alleging that Russia was preparing to “destroy” the country.
Amidst growing rumours of Russian plans to violently overthrow the Moldovan Government, replacing it with a Russia-friendly regime, pro-European Prime Minister Natalia Gavrilita’s government resigned, citing pressure from Russia.
According to Moldovan President Maria Sandu, Moldovan had learned of a Russian plot to orchestrate “attacks on state buildings” using hostage takers and saboteurs “camouflaged in civilian clothes.” The attack, she says, would have relied on internal pro-Russian oligarchs and nationals from Russia, Belarus, Serbia, and Montenegro.
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Amid reports of a planned Russian operation in Moldova, a football match scheduled for Thursday between Moldovan side Sheriff Tiraspol and Serbian team Partizan Belgrade will take place behind closed doors after Moldovan intelligence was warned that the event had been infiltrated by troublemakers.
Speaking to reporters, EU foreign affairs chief Josep Borrell stated that Moldova will be hosting the 2nd European Political Community summit soon, and that EU leaders would be discussing the issue today.
Moldova has also banned Serbian fans in today's football match between Sheriff Tiraspol and Partizan Belgrade, based on intelligence service's assessment of danger to the statehood of Moldova. The match now due to be played behind closed doors.
