The intelligence service of Moldova detained two foreigners on charges of preparing sabotage, according to a statement by the leadership of this institution, posted on the official website.

According to law enforcement officers, the men are from different countries and had connections with sabotage centers from abroad..

“Under the guise of ordinary tourists, they participated in the collection of intelligence information in order to implement a plan to destabilize the internal situation in the country, including regarding the violent change of the constitutional order in the Republic of Moldova,” the Intelligence Service said in a statement..

In particular, probable saboteurs collected data on state institutions and critical infrastructure facilities, actively participated in monitoring and documenting socio-political processes and protests organized in the capital by certain political forces..

The intelligence added that both foreigners were recognized as undesirable persons in Moldova for a period of 10 years and expelled from its territory.

On February 13, Moldovan President Maia Sandu announced that Russia plans to seize government buildings and change power in the country. A few days before, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky spoke about the plans of the Russian Federation received by Ukrainian intelligence to carry out sabotage activities in Moldova. They consisted in using people from Serbia, Belarus, Russia and Montenegro with military training to attack government institutions..

As part of preventive measures, the Moldovan authorities banned the entry into their territory of the fans of the Serbian club Partizan (Belgrade), who planned to arrive in Chisinau for the Conference League match against Sheriff Tiraspol on February 16.

Also, the Moldovan services did not allow a group of five boxers from Montenegro and their coach. The team was heading to the international boxing tournament, which was held in Chisinau from February 15 to 17.

On February 23, the Russian Defense Ministry announced that Ukrainian troops were planning to carry out an armed provocation against Transnistria in the near future..

The Moldovan government denied the accusations of the Russian Ministry of Defense.

Why did the Moldovan authorities face the threat of Russia implementing a special operation to destabilize the country. How Chisinau reacts to risks and what Moldova needs to do for the sake of security, Vladimir Kravchenko tells in the article "