Russia Advises Its Citizens Against Travel to Moldova, Alleging Humiliating Checks

Russia's Foreign Ministry has urged Russian citizens to refrain from traveling to Moldova, alleging that they risk humiliating checks and unfounded entry refusals. In a statement released on Sunday, the ministry claimed that Moldova is intensifying discriminatory measures against Russians as part of an "anti-Russian course" backed by Western powers.

According to the Russian ministry, the situation is particularly dire at Chișinău Airport, where Russian passport holders are subjected to degrading searches, interrogations, and inspections. It reported frequent cases of prolonged waits in the transit zone without basic amenities, water, or food. Airport staff are said to demand mobile phones for inspection, after which entry may be arbitrarily denied. The ministry also alleged that inspection procedures are deliberately delayed, causing passengers to miss their flights, and that consular officers are denied access to affected individuals.

The travel advisory follows Russia's recent accusation that Moldova blocked diplomatic mail by detaining couriers carrying letters to the Russian embassy at Chișinău Airport. In response, Russia summoned Moldova's ambassador.

Moldova's Foreign Ministry has refuted all claims, calling them groundless. No specific countermeasures have been announced so far.