Russia vows tough response to Moldova’s diplomat decision

Russia vows tough response to Moldova’s expulsion of diplomat

Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said there would be a tough response to Moldova declaring an employee of Russia’s Embassy in Chișinău persona non grata. The decision followed the crash of a drone said to be carrying explosives near the village of Chiștelnița in the Telenești District, while Moscow argued that no evidence had been presented that the drone was of Russian origin.

Scraper SystemOctober 24, 2026, 09:39 PM

Russia vows tough response to Moldova’s expulsion of diplomat

Diplomatic tensions between Russia and Moldova escalated after Chișinău declared an employee of Russia’s Embassy persona non grata. Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova announced that tough measures would be taken in response to Moldova’s decision.

Zakharova made the remarks in a statement published on the Russian Foreign Ministry’s website on October 24. She said Moldovan authorities had informed the Russian side on October 23 that one of the embassy employees had been declared persona non grata.

Moscow’s objection

Zakharova said Moldova had justified its decision by citing a drone that had fallen on the country’s territory, and that Chișinău had linked the drone to Russia. However, she argued that Moldovan authorities had not presented evidence proving that the drone was of Russian origin.

Zakharova described the Moldovan government’s position as part of an anti-Russian policy. She argued that the policy aimed to sever relations between the two countries and ties between their peoples, adding that Russian diplomats had been expelled many times in recent years for unjustified or unfounded reasons.

Russia’s Embassy in Chișinău (archive)

Zakharova said reducing the number of Russian diplomats primarily affected Moldovan citizens, restricting access to consular services and other forms of support. She said Moldova’s “hostile actions will receive an appropriate and tough response from Russia.”

Chișinău’s justification

Moldova’s Foreign Ministry announced on October 23 that an employee of Russia’s Embassy in Chișinău had been declared persona non grata. The decision followed the crash of a drone said to be carrying explosives near the village of Chiștelnița in the Telenești District.

Moldovan authorities said the drone had fallen about 100 meters from a house. Moldova’s Foreign Ministry described the incident as a serious violation of the country’s sovereignty and security and said the drone posed a direct threat to the lives and safety of citizens.

Russia vows tough response to Moldova’s expulsion of diplomat