Moldova holds first-ever military parade for Independence Day as Russian drones violate airspace

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Moldova holds first-ever military parade for Independence Day as Russian drones violate airspace
Romanian president joins Moldova, Ukraine leaders for independence talks in Chișinău
ContinuationUK shares classified missile tech with Ukraine to boost long-range production in Kyiv
Moldova marked its 35th Independence Day on Thursday with a historic military parade in Chișinău, the first in the country’s history, as Russian drone violations of its airspace cast a shadow over the celebrations.
President Maia Sandu condemned the overnight incursion of five Russian UAVs as “intimidation,” stating on social media that the violations occurred “hours before Moldova marks 35 years of independence.” She reiterated Moldova’s stance as “tall, independent and free, firmly on its path to join the EU” . A drone was later discovered near Chișinău, with authorities denouncing the unauthorized overflight as a “serious violation of sovereignty and territorial integrity” .
The parade in Chișinău’s Great National Assembly Square featured over 2,000 military personnel, including veterans and representatives from Moldova’s Interior Ministry, intelligence services, and justice and protection agencies. Contingents from Romania, Ukraine, Italy, France, Germany, Czechia, the United States, Lithuania, and Poland also participated .
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy arrived in Chișinău for the occasion, holding a bilateral meeting with Sandu before a trilateral summit with Romanian President Nicușor Dan. Dan had earlier attended the parade alongside Sandu, Prime Minister Vasile Tofan, and Parliament Speaker Igor Grosu . Zelenskyy did not attend the parade itself .
Sandu linked the drone incidents to broader regional tensions, suggesting they stemmed from “insufficient support for Ukraine in interception,” according to European Pravda . Grosu, the parliamentary speaker, tied the violations to Russia’s upcoming State Duma elections .
The EU’s top officials extended congratulations, with European Council President António Costa and European Parliament President Roberta Metsola both highlighting Moldova’s European aspirations. Costa called the day a celebration of “freedom, sovereignty and democracy” and Moldova’s EU path , while Metsola emphasized building a “European future together” .
Moldova’s defense posture has evolved significantly in recent years, with its defense budget rising from 0.3% of GDP in 2020 to 0.6% today, targeting 1% by 2030. The country has secured bilateral defense agreements with France, the UK, and Germany, which has delivered Piranha armored vehicles. The EU-Moldova Security and Defence Partnership, signed in May 2024, complements nearly €200 million in European Peace Facility funding since 2021 .
Russia’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova criticized Moldova’s appointment of former Romanian Economy Minister Claudiu Năsui to a government post, accusing Chișinău of surrendering its economy to Bucharest . Meanwhile, Russia expelled a Romanian diplomat in a tit-for-tat move after Bucharest’s earlier expulsion of a Russian diplomat over drone-related airspace violations .
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