Moldova has long maintained a delicate relationship with its neighbor, Ukraine.
Geographically close and economically intertwined, the two nations share both opportunities and challenges.
However, as regional tensions persist and security concerns rise, incidents at border crossings and checkpoints remind the world of the vulnerabilities in these partnerships.
Flagged in Rutine Inspections
On Tuesday evening, a startling discovery at Chișinău International Airport made these risks very real.
A suspicious package flagged during routine postal inspections revealed a homemade bomb hidden inside a remote-controlled toy car, according to Ziare.
The parcel, originating in Ukraine and bound for Tbilisi, Georgia, was intercepted around 6:12 PM.
Authorities acted quickly, isolating the package and calling in bomb disposal experts from the BOMBTEH unit.
After confirming the presence of an explosive device, specialists successfully defused it. The swift response ensured the safety of passengers and airport staff, with no disruption to airport operations.
In a statement, the General Inspectorate of Border Police (IGPF) detailed the timeline and procedure:
“During the postal package inspection process, officers identified an object resembling a toy car. Upon closer examination, the item contained components consistent with an explosive device. Following protocol, the package was secured, and technical-criminal specialists neutralized the threat.”
Thanks to these measures, the situation was resolved without incident, and all flights continued as scheduled.
An investigation has been launched to determine who was behind the attempted smuggling of the device. Authorities are focusing on identifying both the sender and intended recipient of the package.
