President Maia Sandu announced that the Republic of Moldova “has succeeded in freeing and bringing home two Moldovan citizens held captive in Russia.” Both individuals, employees of the Intelligence and Security Service (SIS), were released and returned to Moldovan authorities as part of an international exchange, according to TRIBUNA.

The President expressed gratitude for the role played by the United States: “I thank President Trump for his involvement, as well as the U.S. administration for contributing to the success of this operation. I also thank all our partners — from the United States, Poland, and Romania — for their engagement at every stage of the process and for the support offered to our authorities. I am grateful to all our institutions for their professionalism and for the high‑level international cooperation that made it possible to save our officers.”

Sandu noted that the operation had been underway for many months under SIS coordination, and certain details could not be disclosed earlier in order to protect both the mission and the lives of the two Moldovan citizens.

To secure their return, the two SIS officers were exchanged — as requested by the other side — for two individuals:

• Nina Popova, a Russian citizen acting against the Moldovan state, and
• Alexandru Bălan, a Moldovan citizen accused of treason in the interest of the Belarusian KGB, who was pardoned to allow his departure to Belarus.

“For our country, this is a gain that cannot be measured by a simple mathematical equation — we brought home two citizens who serve the Republic of Moldova, in exchange for two detainees who acted against it,” Sandu emphasized.

The President added that the officers are on their way home and will undergo full medical evaluations: ensuring their health and access to any necessary treatment remains the authorities’ priority.