Russian missile flight over Moldova and Romania is consequence of impunity - political analyst Horbach

He expressed this opinion on Espreso TV.

"Russia is interested in developing new lines of confrontation and tension within Europe or the EU to weaken its strategic rival. But in Ukraine, they have not been able to do what they wanted to do, so they need to expand the field of conflict. But the events in Moldova with the cruise missile that flew to Ukraine through Moldova and partially through Romania are the consequences of impunity," the political analyst noted.

Volodymyr Horbach commented that the Russian Federation planned to fly the missile over the Dniester riverbed with access to western Ukraine, then began to cut a corner through Moldova and eventually cut the corner so much that they partially crossed the Romanian border.

"Actually, having not been punished at any of these stages, I would expect further provocative activities by Russia. If there is another attack and there are launches of Kalibr missiles from the Black Sea, they can go even further into Romanian territory, testing the reaction. As long as there is no reaction, Russia will continue to test. I hope that this should teach our Western partners that at the slightest threat, they should not bury their heads in the sand and say that the problem does not exist, but at least give a verbal response. I am not talking about the ability to shoot down such air targets. Therefore, even today, on February 14, the balloon over Moldova and Romania is also a probe, reconnaissance, and inspection," Horbach emphasized.

• On February 10, Ukrainian Armed Forces Commander-in-Chief Valeriy Zaluzhnyi reported that two Russian Kalibr missiles flew over the territory of Moldova and Romania during the massive attack on Ukraine. Moldova confirmed the missile flight, while Romania denied it.

• Moldova's Foreign Ministry summoned Russian ambassador over missile flight in country's airspace