In Moldova, the security services are recording a rise in the number of attempts to recruit people for sabotage operations abroad, mostly actions directed against Ukraine.
It is noted that Moldova’s Information and Security Service is recording an increase in attempts to recruit citizens via Telegram.
According to the head of the ISS, Alexandru Musteață, this is not about recruitment to take part in the war.
“They are being recruited for sabotage activities. It is not directed against Moldova. There is such a phenomenon as ‘low-value agents’. People are found on Telegram. They are offered €20, €50, €100 and more depending on the task. Often it can be: ‘go there, take a photo’, ‘go to another place, take a photo’, ‘see what’s there’. Then, when they see the person is getting drawn in, both the amount and the complexity of the tasks increase. It can get to ‘go, take a bag and put it under a car’ or something similar. We are now working on this together with colleagues from Ukraine, since many are oriented precisely there,” the head of the ISS said.
Musteață said the number of Moldovan citizens involved in such activities is growing. However, the country’s police have already carried out several successful counter-operations together with Ukrainian law enforcement.
Asked by a journalist whether Moldovan citizens are being recruited to carry out various actions on Ukrainian territory, the head of the ISS answered in the affirmative.
“Yes. We have seen several such cases, which both the Ukrainian and Moldovan sides reported, when people were detained,” the head of the ISS noted.
According to Musteață, the ISS is currently recording a rise in the number of Moldovan citizens involved in similar activities abroad, but no such activity has yet been observed on Moldova’s own territory.
“But this means we have to prepare, and we are already in the process of intensive preparation,” Musteață added.
- Recently, the Security Service of Ukraine detained in Chernivtsi two foreigners who, on Russia’s orders, were planning to set fire to an electrical substation.