Russian Drone Strike Hits Ukrainian Border Crossing, Injuring Moldovan Driver

Russian forces launched a drone attack on the Starokazachye border crossing in Ukraine's Odesa region, near the Moldovan border, around midnight. The strike resulted in two fatalities and three injuries, with one drone exploding at the checkpoint, destroying vehicles and causing a large fire. Sixteen people were evacuated from the scene. Two other drones fell in the vicinity, according to Ukrainian border guards and emergency services. The attack damaged a tourist bus belonging to the Moldovan company Atlas-Tour, which was returning empty from Uman after transporting pilgrims. The bus driver, a Moldovan citizen, sustained injuries and received medical attention in Moldova. The Russian Ministry of Defense claimed the strike targeted a checkpoint used for military cargo transit to Ukraine, a claim disputed by Moldova, which is not a NATO member and does not facilitate such transfers. Moldovan President Maia Sandu condemned the attack, noting it occurred on Ukrainian territory just a kilometer from Moldova's border. She also reported a separate incident where a Russian drone entered Moldovan airspace the previous day, highlighting the significant risk to citizens and air traffic. Moldovan Defense Minister Anatol Nosatîi expressed concern over the lack of drone detection systems in Moldova. The Starokazachye crossing is a key point for Hasidic pilgrims traveling from Israel and elsewhere to Uman for Rosh Hashanah, with daily traffic reaching up to 8,000 people. The checkpoint had recently resumed operations.