Moldova urges citizens to avoid travel to Russia

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) of Moldova has called on citizens to refrain from traveling to the Russian Federation.

According to Report's Eastern Europe bureau, the ministry's statement notes that travel to Russia is undesirable unless absolutely necessary.

The MFA cited the risk of Moldovan citizens facing unwanted situations in Russia as the reason for the advisory.

The ministry also warns that Moldovan citizens may be subjected to strict controls at border crossing points between Russia and Belarus: "These measures could include comprehensive checks and interrogations, temporary confiscation of travel documents, inspection of mobile phones and other electronic devices, collection of biometric data, and denial of entry into Russia without sufficient explanation."