Russia expelled a Moldovan diplomat on Tuesday in retaliation for Moldova’s removal of a Russian embassy employee following a drone crash, Al Jazeera reported. The exchange adds to tensions between the two countries that have worsened since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

Russia’s Foreign Ministry said it summoned Moldova’s ambassador, Lilian Darii, and told him that a member of his embassy’s staff had been declared unacceptable “on the basis of the principle of reciprocity”.

The ministry said it lodged a strong protest over Moldova’s October 23 decision to declare an employee of the Russian embassy in Chisinau persona non grata.

Moscow disputed the grounds for that decision. In its statement, the ministry described the discovery of debris from an explosive-carrying drone as an allegation and a “formal pretext” for the expulsion. It called Moldova’s action “another unfriendly step” aimed at undermining relations between the countries.

Moldovan President Maia Sandu gave a different account of the incident last month, saying a “Russian attack drone” had breached the country’s airspace and “crashed near homes and an energy facility”. Moldova subsequently ordered the Russian embassy staff member out.

According to Al Jazeera, drones have entered Moldovan territory on multiple occasions since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of neighbouring Ukraine in February 2022. The diplomatic dispute comes amid deteriorating relations between Moscow and former Soviet states, including Moldova, as some pursue closer ties with the European Union.

Moldova has also taken a step to reduce its dependence on Russian energy. On Sunday, it officially launched a 400-kilovolt power line running from Vulcanesti to Chisinau, connecting the country to neighbouring Romania and the European electricity grid.

The connection allows Moldova to reduce its reliance on the Cuciurgan thermal power plant in Transnistria, Al Jazeera reported.

Sources