A 65-year-old Moldovan woman who also holds Russian citizenship has been sentenced to 14 years in prison by a court in Russia’s Krasnodar Region on charges of high treason. Russian investigators accuse her of photographing a Russian military facility and sending the images to a representative of Moldova’s Intelligence and Security Service (SIS).
According to media reports, the photographs were taken in February 2026 while the woman was receiving medical treatment at a sanatorium in the southern Russian city of Anapa. She allegedly photographed a facility belonging to Russia’s Ministry of Defence and sent the images through a messaging application to a representative of Moldovan counterintelligence.
The Krasnodar regional prosecutor’s office claims that the information provided to Moldovan intelligence services could have reached Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU) and potentially been used against the Russian Armed Forces. Russian investigators also allege that Moldova’s intelligence services operate in Ukraine’s interests.
The woman, identified by Mediazona as Natalia Slanovskaia, is originally from Moscow and holds citizenship of both the Republic of Moldova and the Russian Federation.
The Krasnodar Regional Court found her guilty of high treason and sentenced her to 14 years in a penal colony.
According to Mediazona, before the criminal case was opened, the woman was detained twice on administrative charges of petty hooliganism. On May 18, 2026, a Moscow court imposed an administrative arrest sentence. On June 1, she received an additional 15 days of detention on the same charge. Criminal proceedings against her for high treason were subsequently initiated.
Moldova’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) says it is in contact with the country’s Embassy in Moscow to clarify the circumstances of the case.
The diplomatic mission has requested official information from the Russian authorities regarding the woman’s situation but has not yet received a response.
According to the MFA, high treason under Article 275 of the Russian Criminal Code can be charged exclusively against Russian citizens. In this context, Russian authorities may refuse to provide information to Moldova’s Embassy because the woman was allegedly detained and investigated as a Russian citizen.
The ministry says it continues to monitor the situation and is making efforts to obtain further information and clarify the possibilities for providing consular assistance.