The Moldovan government, through its foreign ministry, says it will summon the Russian ambassador to the country, Oleg Vasnetsov. The ministry says it will be summoning the diplomat to explain media reports that the embassy had installed a spying device on its rooftop.
A news agency, Channel Jurnal TV, recently reported that 28 satellites were mounted on the roof of the embassy. It says that the dishes, which are made up of dishes, masts, receivers, and transmitters, were spotted and maybe for surveillance purposes.
It also said similar devices were also installed in a nearby building housing some members of the diplomatic corps and that some suspected members of the Russian intelligence team were spotted atop the building.
In reaction to the report, the foreign ministry says, “We consider espionage or foreign interference in the internal affairs of Moldova to be absolutely unacceptable, which represents a direct challenge to the sovereignty and national security of the Moldovan state.”
In a swift response, the Russian government denied the allegations, saying that Moldova has repeatedly accused Russia. It cited the Moldovan government’s position on the liberation-seeking region of Transdniestria.
In the face of Russia’s recent hard stance in the region, Moldova has grown increasingly wary of Russia’s activities, leading to constant tensions and accusations.
Sometime in February, Moldova’s president, Maia Sandu, accused Russia of a plot to destroy the fabric of unity among the defunct Soviet Union countries. Russia clapped back on Moldova, and through its foreign ministry, it described it as “completely unfounded and unsubstantiated.”
Moldova is a border country with Ukraine and has criticized Russia’s invasion of one of its closest neighbors. Russia’s activities in the region have signaled red alert, and have led to a new way of thinking, which best describes Moldova’s suspicion and wariness of Russia.
