Moldova has returned two intelligence officers as part of an exchange with Russia and Belarus

Moldovan President Maia Sandu announced the safe return of two employees of the Information and Security Service who had been detained in Russia. 

Moldovan President Maia Sandu made the announcement. She emphasized that preparations for the officers’ release had been underway for many months under strict secrecy.

As part of the agreements, the Moldovan side handed over two individuals to Russia and Belarus. Among them were Russian citizen Nina Popova, who acted against Moldova’s interests, and Alexandru Belan, a former deputy head of the SIS. Belan had been convicted of treason and collaboration with the Belarusian KGB, but received a pardon from the president to complete the exchange procedure and subsequently travel to Minsk.

According to the head of state, this exchange was the result of the professional work of the Moldovan special services and international cooperation at the highest level. Maia Sandu expressed special gratitude to the U.S. side for its assistance in securing the release of Moldovan citizens from Russian captivity. The officers’ return took place against the backdrop of prolonged tensions in the region caused by destabilizing actions by Russia and its allies.

On April 28, Poland and Belarus carried out a prisoner exchange on a “five-for-five” basis.

Russian archaeologist Alexander Butyagin, who was detained in Warsaw at Ukraine’s request, was released as part of the exchange. Butyagin is known for his participation in illegal archaeological excavations in occupied Crimea and subsequent trips to European countries.