Since Russia announced mobilization on September 21 and until October, 3,802 Russian nationals have entered Moldova, while 1,406 Russians left.

Border Police chief Rosian Vasiloi told a press conference that most of them also hold Moldovan citizenship.

During the same period, 249 Russians were denied entry to Moldova.

Migration Bureau head Mihail Vodă said that 117 Russians have sought asylum in Moldova since the beginning of the year.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration announced that in the last two weeks there has been an increase in the number of Moldovan citizens seeking 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 country they are in, including those related to mobilization. “It is absolutely illegal for the citizens of the Republic of Moldova to be employed as mercenaries, obviously, we urge again our citizens not to be involved in this war (in Ukraine) in any way”, Deputy Prime Minister Nicu Popescu recently declared.

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, while other states, including the Republic of Moldova, recognize it as 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 eligible for mobilization.