Washington currently sees “no sign” of a direct military threat from Russia against Moldova or Romania. State Department deputy spokesman Vedant Patel said this on Friday after Ukrainian authorities reported that several Russian missiles were flying over the airspace of the two neighboring countries.
“We maintain close contacts and communications with our Moldovan partners and our Romanian allies,” Patel added.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Friday that several Russian missiles flew over NATO members Moldova and Romania, stressing the incident was a challenge to the military alliance and collective security.
“This morning the enemy fired at least 70 rockets in another massive attack (on Ukraine), Zelenskyyy said in a video posted on his Telegram channel. – Several Russian missiles crossed the airspace of Moldova and Romania. These missiles are a challenge to NATO and collective security. It is a terror that can and must be stopped.
Valery Zaluzhny, commander-in-chief of Ukraine’s armed forces, said two Russian Kalibr missiles launched from the Black Sea flew over the airspace of Moldova and NATO member Romania before ending up in the skies from Ukraine.
Moldovan authorities have confirmed that the country’s airspace was breached by a Russian missile. The country’s foreign ministry summoned the Russian ambassador, who received a note of protest. Romania said a Russian missile launched from a ship near Crimea passed through Moldovan airspace before hitting Ukraine, but did not enter Romanian airspace.
