The Moldovan Ministry of Foreign Affairs has warned the country’s citizens about intensified checks when entering Russia and Belarus. According to the ministry, Moldovan authorities have recently recorded a growing number of cases in which Moldovan citizens are subjected to lengthy inspections and additional control measures when crossing the borders of the two countries.
According to the Foreign Ministry, such procedures most frequently affect men between the ages of 18 and 60, holders of recently issued passports, people who have previously traveled to Ukraine, those traveling alone, and individuals who also hold Russian citizenship.
The ministry said the inspections may last from three to twelve hours. During this time, travelers’ documents may be temporarily confiscated, they may be asked to sign consent forms allowing the processing of their personal data, and they may be required to provide access to mobile phones, computers, and other electronic devices. The ministry also reported cases in which data were copied from devices, travelers were photographed and fingerprinted, and were asked to undergo polygraph examinations.
According to the ministry, officials also question travelers about their professional activities, family members, place of residence, travel to other countries, including Ukraine, as well as their views on the Russia–Ukraine war and other political issues.
The ministry warned that refusing to comply with the authorities’ demands may result in denial of entry to Russia or other administrative measures provided for under local legislation. Travelers may also face significant delays that could cause them to miss flights or other transport connections without being provided with documents confirming the reasons for the delay.
Separately, the ministry said it had received information about cases in which people held in administrative detention were pressured into signing contracts to serve in the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation.
The Moldovan Ministry of Foreign Affairs therefore recommends that Moldovan citizens carefully assess whether travel to Russia is necessary, familiarize themselves in advance with the conditions of entry and stay, and immediately contact Moldovan diplomatic missions or consular offices if they encounter any problems.
