IN FOCUS: Ukraine & Moldova Brief

Review of September 2025

Petra Bošková, Anna Gulíková

UKRAINE

Photo: President of Ukraine.

Ukraine is requesting the US support in providing long-range missiles

Over the course of these last months, there has been an intensifying tendency of the Russian attacks on Ukraine, so much so that President Trump is currently deciding on giving the Ukrainian army long-range missiles. Kyiv and Ukrainians have been requesting missiles that would be able to hit major Russian cities from the front lines and, therefore, travel a great distance. This would allow Ukraine to strike the main military infrastructure and targets located further from the open warzone. For the US, it could bring potential to resolving the Russo-Ukrainian war and bring peace, which was one of the main goals in the foreign policy of Trump’s second administration.

The US Tomahawks would be supplied to Ukraine through European countries, and as these cruise missiles have a range of 2.500 kilometres, able to carry conventional and nuclear warheads, they would be very capable of reaching Moscow and other strategic points in Russia. However, the main struggle remains the question of the operation of Tomahawks. There is a need to take into consideration whether the Americans would let Ukrainians launch these missiles or if they would need to operate the missiles themselves. That could potentially create bigger tensions between Russia and the West, as Moscow would most likely perceive this as a joint operation of the USA and Ukraine.

Russian high representatives claim that, if American soldiers were responsible for attacks on Russian territory, they would be automatically considered as targets of Russian strikes. Although the discussion on Tomahawks is still open, Trump has already agreed to conduct Ukrainian long-range strikes on Russia. Ukraine is now capable of producing a large portion of the drones and missiles that it uses, but it still needs the support from its Western partners. Kyiv is aware that it needs to improve the air defence systems covering its cities, and combined with long-range weapons to hit targets within Russia, it may help to bring Moscow to the negotiating table for real once.

Sources:
Zelenskyy Calls for Joint European Defence Against Russian Drone Threats

At the Warsaw Security Forum on September 29, 2025, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy urged European allies to unite in building a collective shield against Russia’s increasing drone incursions. He emphasised Ukraine’s readiness to share its expertise in air defence, gained through years of daily attacks. “If Russia loses its ability to strike from the skies, it will lose the war,” Zelenskyy declared, proposing a “reliable joint shield against Russian aerial threats.”

In recent weeks, Poland, Romania, and Denmark have reported multiple drone violations that forced temporary airport closures and exposed NATO’s vulnerabilities. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk described the situation as a “new type of war” that the entire transatlantic community must take seriously.

Meanwhile, Denmark has experienced several airspace breaches, including one over the Karup military base. Although authorities have not officially confirmed responsibility, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen accused Russia of orchestrating the incidents.

Zelenskyy suggested that some drones might have been launched from tankers operating in the Baltic Sea, calling this a form of “Russian military aggression against European countries.” He added that Europe had the right to restrict such vessels from navigating its waters for self-defence purposes.

European allies have begun mobilising:

  • The UK, France, Germany, and Sweden announced immediate assistance to strengthen Denmark’s air defence.
  • Measures include advanced radar systems, air patrol support, and drone interception technologies.

Zelenskyy concluded that this cooperation represents more than military coordination—it’s a collective defence of Europe’s skies and sovereignty.

Sources:

MOLDOVA

Photo: Shutterstock.com

Moldovan Elections Mark Pro-EU Victory Despite Russian Interference Attempts

In the week leading up to Moldova’s parliamentary elections, both Moldovan and EU officials expressed concerns about potential Russian attempts to destabilise the country. President Maia Sandu warned of a heightened risk of riots and violent attacks allegedly supported by Moscow. Just days before the vote, police detained dozens of individuals—reportedly trained in Serbia by Russian operatives—who were found in possession of weapons and explosives.

These developments reinforced fears that the Kremlin sought to undermine Moldova’s democratic process and disrupt the government of the Party of Action and Solidarity (PAS). Russian interference was believed to involve spreading disinformation, inciting unrest, and creating fear among voters to suppress turnout or sway preferences.

Despite these threats, the elections concluded largely peacefully. The pro-European PAS secured over 50% of the vote, ensuring its continued majority in Parliament. This result allows the government to maintain its pro-EU course and advance Moldova’s integration path, with hopes of achieving EU membership within the next decade—depending, however, on broader geopolitical developments.

The pro-Russian Patriotic Electoral Bloc finished second with less than 25%. One of its constituent parties was later banned by the electoral commission after evidence surfaced of illegal Russian funding.

Opposition groups criticised the government for excluding several parties from the ballot, claiming political bias. Authorities in Chișinău, however, defended the measures as necessary to protect Moldova’s sovereignty, citing concrete proof of bribery and foreign financing.

Three years after obtaining EU candidate status, Moldova continues to navigate a fragile balance between domestic reform and external pressure. While critics argue that PAS prioritises foreign policy over economic issues and corruption, the government insists that European integration inherently includes improving governance and living standards at home.

Sources:
Serbia Arrests Alleged Organisers of Moldova Election Disruption Training

On September 26, 2025, Serbian authorities arrested two individuals suspected of organising and funding paramilitary-style training for Moldovan (and Romanian) nationals ahead of Moldova’s parliamentary election on September 28, 2025.

The camps were reportedly located in western Serbia, between Loznica and Banja Koviljača, in a property known as Sunčana Reka. The training is alleged to have occurred between July and September 2025, involving some 150–170 participants.

Serbian police named the detainees as Lazar Popović and Savo Stevanović, accusing them of leading, financing, and organising the training programs. During raids, law enforcement seized items including laptops, mobile phones, a radio-frequency detector, and a firearm.

The curriculum is said to have included lessons on target identification, resisting law enforcement, and tactics for managing protests or riots. Some trainees reportedly entered Serbia under the guise of religious pilgrimages.

Parallel to this, Moldovan authorities detained 74 individuals believed to be involved in the same destabilisation scheme. The claim is that the plot aimed to trigger unrest if pro-Russian forces did poorly at the polls.

The European Commission has acknowledged the seriousness of the allegations. Brussels is reportedly investigating claims of election interference and hybrid threats in Moldova.

 

Sources:

Share This Story, Choose Your Platform!