Russia expels Moldovan diplomat in tit-for-tat move

Russia has expelled a Moldovan embassy staff member, saying the move is in response to Moldova’s expulsion of a Russian embassy employee. The exchange adds to already strained relations, as Moldova accuses a Russian drone of entering its airspace and has been seeking closer ties with the European Union.

Moldova declared the Russian employee persona non grata on 23 October after President Maia Sandu said a Russian attack drone crashed near homes and an energy facility. Moscow rejected Moldova’s stated reason and described its action as unfriendly. Drones have entered Moldovan territory several times since Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine; Moldova has also recently opened a 400-kilovolt power line to Romania to reduce reliance on Russian energy.