(MENAFN) Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) has arrested two Moldovan nationals in Moscow, accusing them of working for Moldova’s Security and Intelligence Service (SIS). The FSB announced the arrests on Wednesday, releasing footage of the suspects with their identities concealed, but publishing photos of their alleged SIS handlers.

According to Russian authorities, the two Moldovans were recruited in 2023 and 2024 by SIS agent Alexandru Sirbu and traveled to Moscow using false identities. Another SIS operative, Adrian Popescu, was also reportedly involved in coordinating their activities, based on information gathered during the suspects’ interrogation.

The FSB claimed that under the leadership of pro-Western President Maia Sandu, Moldova has been collaborating with Ukrainian intelligence to carry out operations aimed at undermining Russian interests. President Sandu has publicly stated her goal of securing Moldova’s accession to the European Union by 2028.

Russia has repeatedly criticized Sandu’s government, accusing it of prioritizing Western interests over Moldova’s own. Moscow pointed to actions such as the arrest of the elected head of Moldova’s autonomous Gagauzia region and allegations of manipulated elections that disadvantaged opposition candidates.

In April, the FSB reported another incident involving a former SIS officer who had been expelled from Russia the previous year but was allegedly continuing intelligence activities on behalf of Moldova.

MENAFN14072025000045015687ID1109797151