On the night of 25 August, Russian attack drones struck the «Vynogradivka–Vulcănești» international road border crossing in the Odesa region, on the border with Moldova. The checkpoint’s infrastructure was damaged and a fire broke out. Border crossings in this direction have been temporarily suspended, and customs clearance is not being carried out.
Russian «Shaheds» attacked a checkpoint in the Odesa region
According to Ukrainian authorities, infrastructure at the international border crossing point was damaged as a result of a Russian attack using strike UAVs «Vynohradivka – Vulkeniști», which is situated on the Ukrainian-Moldovan border.
The State Customs Service has reported that at present Traffic through the border crossing point has been suspended, and customs formalities are not being carried out. Citizens and transport operators are asked to use other open border crossing points for the time being. A separate announcement will be made regarding the resumption of operations.
The Moldovan side has provided further details of the night-time attack. According to the Moldovan Border Police, around At 02:55, the «Vynohradivka» checkpoint was attacked by a Shahed-type drone. As far as is known, no fatalities or injuries were reported as a result of this attack.
Two more explosions were heard near the border
At around 03:49 A border patrol on the Moldovan side in Vulcănești recorded yet another two explosions, caused by Shahed-type drones at a Ukrainian border crossing point.
The distance between the Ukrainian border post at «Vynohradivka» and the Moldovan border post at «Vulcănești» is approximately three kilometres. The drones crashed on Ukrainian territory. Following the attack, operations at the entire Vulcanesti–Vynogradivka border crossing were suspended.
Moldovan authorities detected another aerial target at around 03:52, approximately 18 kilometres from the state border. At 04:18, the Ukrainian side reported that this drone had been shot down.
According to the Moldovan Border Police, on Moldovan territory following the incident No debris from drones or other hazardous objects was found.
This is not the first attack on border crossings with Moldova
Russia has launched repeated attacks in recent times border infrastructure in the south of the Odesa region.
On the night of 21 August Attack drones damaged the infrastructure at the border crossing point «Tabaky – Mirne». At that time, the checkpoint’s buildings and structures were damaged, fires broke out, and traffic had to be temporarily diverted via other crossings. The checkpoint subsequently resumed operations.
A new attack on «Vynohradivka» took place just a few days after that strike.
Drivers are asked to choose alternative routes
Until the «Vynohradivka–Vulcănești» crossing reopens, members of the public and transport operators are advised to use other open border crossings on the Ukrainian–Moldovan border.
No timetable has yet been announced for the resumption of traffic. This will depend on the extent of the damage and the completion of the necessary safety and repair work.
