A protest against the Moldovan government and pro-EU President Maia Sandu in the capital Chisinau on Feb. 19, 2023. Elena Covalenco /AFP via Getty Images
Elena Covalenco /AFP via Getty Images
In February, Moldovan president Maia Sandu publicly accused Russia of plotting to overthrow her government — an allegation first made days before by Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
Russia quickly denied the claim and turned the tables, accusing Ukraine of planning a false flag attack against the separatist Moldovan region of Transnistria.