A Russian missile aimed at Ukraine flew over the territory of Moldova and passed close to Romania on Friday, as fears rose that the war could spill over after the president was forced to designate a new prime minister.
Moldova’s pro-western Prime Minister Natalia Gavrilita resigned on Friday after months of economic turmoil and claims that Russia was trying to stir up tensions. President Maia Sandu nominated defence adviser Dorin Recean to become the tiny country’s next leader, subject to a parliamentary vote.
The new government “needs to increase the country’s level of security and keep Moldova within the ranks of the free and democratic world,” Ms Sandu said.
The country’s foreign ministry said it had summoned Russia’s ambassador over what it called an “unacceptable violation of our airspace”.
Nato member Romania said it had scrambled jets after detecting the cruise missile passing 35km from its territory, but contradicted a Ukrainian claim that the missile had entered Romanian airspace.
Ms Gavrilita said nobody thought her government “would have to manage so many crises caused by Russian aggression in Ukraine”, which have included high energy prices and security threats.
The economic turmoil, including power cuts caused by the strikes on Ukraine, have led to protests that Moldova accuses Russia of supporting. Part of the country, Transnistria, is under the control of pro-Russian separatists.
