UAV event in Vulkashensky, Etulia area, Moldova, Republic of on Thu 4th April 2024

Border police in ex-Soviet Moldova said on Thursday they had found and cordoned off what appeared to be fragments of an Iranian-made Russian drone just inside the country's border with Ukraine.

A police statement said the fragments were found near the villages of Etulia and Vladiceni and bore the inscription Heran-2, another name for Iranian-made Shahed kamikaze drones used by Russia in its conflict with Ukraine.

Iran began supplying the drones to Russia in mid-2022. Hundreds have so far been used against Ukraine’s infrastructure and during massive missile attacks in order to swamp air defenses. European powers and the United States have warned Iran against arming Russia amid fears that Tehran might supply ballistic missiles.

The fragments were found in an area about 500 meters (1,600 feet) from the border with Ukraine, with access to the area restricted, the police said. There were no dangerous elements in the fragments and no danger to the area's residents.

There have been several instances of fragments of Russian drones and missiles found on the territory of Moldova, which lies between Ukraine and Romania. Drone fragments were found near the same villages in February.

Pro-European President Maia Sandu has denounced Russia's invasion of its neighbor and singles out Moscow and corruption as the two biggest threats to her country's sovereignty.

Sandu has set a drive to join the European Union as her main policy goal.