On 5 December 2022, the day of a mass Russian missile strike on Ukraine, a Border Police patrol found a missile in an orchard near the town of Briceni. Moldova's interior ministry said the area was cordoned off and bomb disposal (Bombteh) and emergency services were called in; the Border Police reinforced patrols in the Briceni and Ocnița sectors. No casualties were reported. On 1 February 2023 interior minister Ana Revenco told the government that the recovered elements were fragments of the upper stage of an S-300 system missile and that their origin had not been established. Who launched the missile remains unestablished: the S-300 system is used by both Russia and Ukraine.
Responsibility and limits of the evidence
unresolved
The case was looked at and not settled, or the findings are disputed or have been rejected.
Ministerul Afacerilor Interne al Republicii Moldova (Ana Revenco) / 2023-02-02 / origin of the equipment
Moldova's interior ministry (minister Ana Revenco) told the government that the elements found on 5 December 2022 near Briceni and on 14 January 2023 in the Larga sector are fragments of the upper stage of an S-300 system missile and that their origin has not been established. That is a statement about the type of equipment, not about who launched it: the S-300 system is used by both Russia and Ukraine.
Impact
killed
not established
injured
not established
damage
not established
No casualties reported.
What happened next
The interior ministry told the government that the recovered elements are fragments of the upper stage of an S-300 system missile; the origin was not established.