Russian missile crosses Moldova as its government collapses

Departing leadership was pro-EU but came under strain amid fears war could spill over

Romania said it had scrambled jets after detecting a passing Russian missile. AP

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.

The scare was the result of another wave of missile strikes by Russia against Ukrainian infrastructure on Friday, causing power cuts for millions of people.

German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock spoke of "alarming news" from Moldova.

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.

Like Ukraine, Moldova has applied to join the EU despite concerns about corruption and the presence of Russian troops on part of its territory. It is scheduled to host a summit of European leaders in June.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Thursday that intelligence agents had intercepted a Russian plan to "establish control" over Moldova.

Moldova’s Intelligence and Security Service released a statement confirming it had received such a tip-off from Ukraine and said it had also identified "subversive activities".

The agency has previously warned that Russia could try to create a land corridor from southern Ukraine to the Kremlin-backed breakaway region of Transnistria, in Moldova.

Russia fired about 70 missiles of which at least 60 were shot down, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.

"Unfortunately, there were hits. Unfortunately, there are victims," he said.

Ukraine's top commander, Valeriy Zaluzhnyi, claimed that two Russian Kalibr missiles had passed through Romania's airspace, a theory repeated by Mr Zelenskyy. There was no immediate comment from Russia.

Romania's Defence Ministry said the missile, fired from the Black Sea, "flew over the airspace of Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova and re-entered the Ukrainian air space without ever infringing Romania’s airspace".

Any breach of Nato's airspace would be sure to heighten tensions, while there are concerns about Moldova being dragged into the war.

"Russia continues the brutal war of aggression against Ukraine, and missile attacks on a neighbouring country are directly and negatively affecting the citizens of Moldova," said Moldovan Foreign Ministry spokesman Daniel Voda.

"We strongly reject the recent unfriendly actions and statements in relation to our country, which is also considered absolutely unacceptable by our people."

Romania said the two jets scrambled had returned to their previous mission after the situation was clarified.

Mr Zelenskyy used his trip to London, Paris and Brussels this week to ask for longer-range missiles to counter Russian strikes, as well as fighter jets for Ukraine's air force.

Nato had a scare in November when a Soviet-designed missile exploded in Polish territory, killing two people. The situation cooled after Poland said it was a stray Ukrainian missile and not a deliberate Russian attack.

Nato last year agreed to set up new battle groups in Romania, Bulgaria, Hungary and Slovakia to increase deterrence on its eastern flank.