The Ministry of Foreign Affairs Ministerul (MFA) is warning Moldovan citizens who plan to travel to, transit through, or stay in the Russian Federation to exercise caution. According to the authorities, there has recently been an increase in cases where citizens of the Republic of Moldova are subjected to extensive checks upon entry into Russia and Belarus.
According to available information, the checks particularly target men aged between 18 and 60, people holding recently issued passports, those who have traveled to Ukraine, those traveling alone, or those who also hold Russian citizenship.
The MFA states that Moldovan citizens may be subjected to questioning and checks lasting between three and 12 hours, during which travel documents may be temporarily withheld. At the same time, Russian authorities may request the signing of documents related to personal data processing and access to mobile phones, computers, or other electronic devices.
The ministry also reports that there have been cases where refusal to sign such documents has led to denial of entry into the Russian Federation or to administrative measures. Electronic devices may also be inspected, and stored data may be copied or downloaded.
Among the reported measures are photographing, fingerprinting, and requests to undergo polygraph testing. During checks, individuals may be asked questions about their professional activity, family members, travels to other countries (including Ukraine), as well as their views on the war in Ukraine or other political topics.
According to the Mthere have also been significant delays leading to missed flights or transport connections, without the issuance of supporting documents. The authorities of the Republic of Moldova have also received information about cases where individuals in administrative detention were allegedly pressured to sign contracts for enlistment in the armed forces of the Russian Federation.
In this context, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs recommends that Moldovan citizens carefully assess the necessity of traveling to the Russian Federation, inform themselves in advance about entry and stay conditions, and consult the official travel advisories published by the institution. Individuals encountering difficulties are urged to contact the nearest Moldovan diplomatic mission or consular office as soon as possible.