Moldova Expels Russian Embassy Staffer Following Spy Allegations

On the morning of August 1, Russian Ambassador to Chișinău Oleg Vasnetsov was summoned to the Moldovan Ministry of Foreign Affairs and informed that a staff member of the embassy had been declared a persona non grata in the Republic of Moldova.

Following this, the Russian ambassador told the press that Moldova’s actions were "hostile" and that Moscow would respond accordingly.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Chișinău clarified that the Russian diplomat has 48 hours to leave the territory of the Republic of Moldova.

The expulsion came immediately after searches conducted on July 31 by the Intelligence and Security Service (SIS) and the Prosecutor’s Office for Combating Organized Crime and Special Cases (PCCOCS) at the Moldovan Parliament.

After these searches, a parliament member and a border police officer were detained for 72 hours on suspicion of treason and conspiracy. According to the prosecutor's office, they were collecting and passing on information to a staff member of the Russian embassy in Chișinău that "damages the interests of the Republic of Moldova."

In July 2023, Moldova expelled 45 Russian diplomats and embassy staff, citing a pattern of hostile actions that undermined the country’s stability. The move came after reports surfaced about the Russian embassy in Chisinau operating 28 suspected surveillance antennas on its rooftop. These revelations heightened concerns about Russia’s interference in Moldova’s internal affairs.