More than 3,800 Russian citizens entered the Republic of Moldova, after the announcement of mobilization in the Russian Federation. Most of them also have Moldovan citizenship
Starting from September 21, when the mobilization in the Russian Federation was announced, and until October 7, 3,802 Russian citizens entered the Republic of Moldova. In the same state, 1,406 Russian citizens left the Republic of Moldova, reports IPN.
The head of the Border Police Inspectorate, Rosian Vasiloi, stated in a press conference that the vast majority of the 3,802 people also have the citizenship of the Republic of Moldova. At the same time, 249 people were not authorized to enter the Republic of Moldova. The causes relate to the non-fulfillment of the entry conditions in accordance with the legislation in force.
Mihail Vodă, Director of the Migration and Asylum Office, mentioned that since the beginning of the year, 117 asylum applications have been submitted by citizens of the Russian Federation, and from September 21 until now there are 13 asylum applications. According to the person in charge, it is not a very large number of requests.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration announced that in the last two weeks there has been an increased number of citizens of the Republic of Moldova who want to return to Moldova from the Russian Federation. The situation is more complicated with Moldovans who hold Russian citizenship and are on the territory of Russia, they are obliged to comply with the legislative framework of the countries they are in, including those related to mobilization. “It is absolutely illegal for the citizens of the Republic of Moldova to be employed in mercenaries and, obviously, we appeal again to our citizens not to be involved in this war (in Ukraine) in any way”, recently declared Deputy Prime Minister Nicu Popescu, Minister of Foreign Affairs.
On September 21, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a partial mobilization in the Russian Federation. It was announced that 300 thousand reservists are to be recruited for what the Russians call a special operation in Ukraine, and other states, including the Republic of Moldova, an unprovoked war started by Russia in Ukraine. Citizens of the Republic of Moldova who are also citizens of the Russian Federation and are on Russian territory are subject to mobilization, notes the cited source.