The Embassy of the Republic of Moldova in the Russian Federation is undertaking diplomatic efforts to secure the release of Moldovan citizens detained by the Federal Security Service (FSB).
The statement followed claims by MP Renato Usatii that two officers of the Security and Intelligence Service of Moldova (SIS) have allegedly been held in detention in Russia for nearly a year.
Moldovan diplomatic officials said that in recent years Russian authorities have intensified practices of intimidation and detention of Moldovan citizens, both at entry into the Russian Federation and within its territory.
“Several citizens have notified the authorities of the Republic of Moldova about such abusive actions, which led the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Moldova to issue travel alerts for the Russian Federation as early as June 2025. The Embassy of the Republic of Moldova in the Russian Federation, through its consular office, provides support to citizens and is making diplomatic efforts to obtain their release,” the statement said.
Authorities did not clarify whether the detained individuals are SIS officers or other persons.
Over the past year, the FSB has announced the detention of several Moldovan citizens allegedly accused of espionage in Russia in favor of Ukraine. According to Russian officials, some of them allegedly had links with security institutions in Chisinau.