World · Europe · 3 hrs ago
Russia expels Moldovan diplomat in retaliation for embassy expulsion
Russia expelled a Moldovan embassy staff member in a move it said was retaliation.
Moldova had expelled a Russian embassy employee on October 23 after drone debris was found in the country.
President Maia Sandu said a Russian attack drone had crossed Moldova’s airspace and crashed near homes and an energy facility.
The two expulsions followed a drone incident whose cause and circumstances Moscow and Chisinau describe differently.
Russia called Moldova’s action unfriendly, while relations between the countries have worsened since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
The dispute adds to strained ties as Moldova moves closer to the European Union and seeks to reduce its reliance on Russian energy.
Russia has expelled a Moldovan embassy staff member in response to Moldova’s expulsion of a Russian diplomat.
Moldova declared the Russian embassy employee persona non grata on October 23 after a drone was found in the country.
Russia’s Foreign Ministry summoned Moldova’s ambassador, Lilian Darii, and said the expulsion was based on reciprocity.
Moldova said the drone had violated its airspace and crashed near homes and an energy facility.
Russia disputed Moldova’s account, saying it had not provided evidence that the drone was Russian.
- Who
- Russia and Moldova. Russia expelled a Moldovan embassy staff member after Moldova expelled a Russian embassy employee.
- What
- Russia declared the Moldovan staff member unacceptable and protested Moldova’s earlier decision.
- When
- Russia announced the move on Tuesday, November 10, 2026. Moldova declared the Russian employee persona non grata on October 23.
- Where
- The Russian employee worked at the Russian embassy in Chisinau; the Moldovan employee worked at Moldova’s embassy in Russia.
- Why
- Russia said it was acting on the principle of reciprocity after Moldova expelled its diplomat over a drone found in Moldova.
Russia
Moldova
Drone evidence
Russia
Russia said Moldova had not provided evidence that the drone was Russian.
Moldova
Moldova said a drone carrying explosives was found in the country and President Maia Sandu said a Russian attack drone violated its airspace.
Diplomatic expulsions
Russia
Russia said its expulsion of a Moldovan embassy staff member was based on reciprocity.
Moldova
Moldova declared a Russian embassy employee persona non grata after the drone was found.
Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, after which drones penetrated Moldovan territory on multiple occasions.
Moldova declared a Russian embassy employee persona non grata after a drone was found in the country.
Russia summoned Moldova’s ambassador and announced that a Moldovan embassy staff member had been declared unacceptable.
- Moldovan ambassador
- Lilian Darii
- Moldova’s expulsion decision
- October 23, 2026
- Russian response
- Moldovan embassy staff member declared unacceptable
- Drone location
- Kishteľnica village, Telenesti district, about 100 metres from a residential building
- Casualties
- No one was injured in the incident
3 sources
What people are saying
on the basis of the principle of reciprocity
another unfriendly step
crashed near homes and an energy facility
the Moldovan side did not provide evidence that the drone was Russian