Combat Drone Explodes Near Moldova-Ukraine Border

Moldovan police in the Ștefan Vodă district received a report at approximately 1:20 p.m. local timeon Sunday, Aug. 9, regarding an explosion near the village of Crocmaz, which sits on the border with Ukraine. According to NewsMaker, the explosion ignited a fire. Preliminary information indicates that fragments of a combat drone were found at the scene.JOIN US ON TELEGRAMFollow our coverage of the war on the @Kyivpost_official. Police quickly established that no one was injured by the crash and ensuing fire. All specialized units were dispatched to the site to extinguish the blaze and secure the area. Explosives and technical experts from the police forensic division are currently on route to the site. Authorities stated that more detailed information will be provided following a visual inspection and a forensic examination to determine circumstances and origin of the crash. Previous drone crashes in Moldova The explosion in Crocmaz adds to a growing series of drone incidents spilling beyond Ukraine’s borders into neighboring Moldova. Just days earlier, on Wednesday, Aug. 5, wreckage from a Russian Geran-2 attack drone was discovered near the village of Văleni in southern Moldova’s Cahul district. After examining the wreckage, its construction, materials, and identifying markings, Moldovan specialists concluded that it belonged to a Geran-2 – Russia’s localized version of the Iranian-designed Shahed long-range attack drone. Police recovered the fragments for forensic examination to determine how the drone ended up on Moldovan territory. Other Topics of Interest Ukraine Strikes Russian S-400 Missile System, Radars, Shadow Fleet Vessels Ukraine’s Unmanned Systems Forces struck a Russian S-400 missile system, two radars, and three shadow fleet vessels overnight, Aug. 8. There were no casualties or damage associated with the Aug. 5 discovery. The drone crashes come as Russia continues launching large-scale bombardments against Ukraine, frequently targeting port infrastructure in the country’s south near the Moldovan and Romanian borders. Earlier this year, Moldovan authorities recovered other suspected Russian drones, including one found near the border village of Tudora in March that officials confirmed was carrying explosives. Kyiv Post is Ukraine’s first and oldest English news organization, reporting since 1995. Its international reach – 97% of readers are outside of Ukraine – make it truly Ukraine’s global voice.