"We managed to bring our guys home." Moldova's Foreign Ministry acted to free officers at President Sandu's instruction

Likely Viktor Tsur and Dionis Banar

Moldova, at the instruction of President Maia Sandu, began looking for ways to free two officers of the Information and Security Service (SIS) immediately after their detention in Russia. This was stated by Moldovan Foreign Minister Mihai Popșoi on Rlive, writes Newsmaker.

He thanked US President Donald Trump, as well as partners from Romania and Poland for their cooperation, which allowed for the international exchange. According to him, negotiations lasted "several months," and the result was ensured by "joint efforts of all parties."

"From the first day our citizens, our officers, were detained, we, at the instruction of Madam President, began looking for a solution for their release.

Thanks to reliable contacts, including with American partners, we found this formula, and based on a proposal received through diplomatic channels, we then began looking for solutions through the SIS as well. (...) It was a team effort that lasted several months, but today [Tuesday — NN] we managed to bring our officers, our guys, home," Popșoi said.

Answering a question about the possible risks of transferring former SIS Deputy Director Alexandru Bălan, who had access to classified information and was pardoned as part of the exchange to Belarus (and then, presumably, to Russia), Popșoi stated that such decisions remain complex, but they are made in the interests of citizens.

"This can be attributed to discretionary judgments. Obviously, in such complex decisions, priority is given to the physical integrity, well-being, and security of our citizens who have not violated the law, serve Moldova, and dedicate their professional activities to the security of every Moldovan citizen. Therefore, we must act responsibly. These are difficult decisions, but they are in the national interest of Moldova and our citizens," Popșoi said.

As a result of a prisoner exchange, Moldova returned two officers of the Information and Security Service who had previously been arrested in Russia. President Maia Sandu announced the exchange on Facebook.

She did not name the officers, but earlier, MP and leader of "Our Party" Renato Usatîi claimed that it concerned Viktor Tsur and Dionis Banar.

In return, Belarus received former SIS Deputy Director Alexandru Bălan, who is accused of state treason in the interests of the KGB of Belarus. Bălan was previously detained in Romania, then extradited to Moldova, where a court sentenced him to one and a half years in prison. Before the exchange procedure, President Sandu signed a decree pardoning him.

According to the investigation, in 2024 and 2025, Bălan met twice in Budapest with Belarusian intelligence officers, which posed a threat to Romania's national security. During the meetings, he allegedly handed over classified information in exchange for money and received further instructions. The amounts involved are not disclosed.

In addition, Moldova handed over Russian citizen Nina Popova, the wife of a Russian army officer, to Russia. She had attempted to bribe a border police officer to enter Moldovan territory. For this, she was arrested and sentenced to one year in prison. The day before the exchange, on April 27, the Chișinău Court of Appeal overturned the verdict.

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