Vitali Iankovski visits Tiraspol despite Moldovan entry ban

South Ossetian separatist Vitali Iankovski has reappeared in Tiraspol, despite a five-year entry ban imposed by the Republic of Moldova. During his visit, Iankovski held meetings with Vadim Krasnoselski, the leader of the separatist regime, and Vitali Ignatiev, the region's so-called foreign minister.

Accompanying Iankovski was Alexandr Vataman, a purported diplomat from Abkhazia. Krasnoselski congratulated the officials on the anniversaries of their respective regions' independence. During the meeting, Krasnoselski commented on Georgian aggression in Ossetia and Abkhazia, noting that while Tbilisi has recognized these actions, Chisinau has not done so for 36 years.

Moldovan authorities had declared Iankovski an undesirable person in January 2026. It remains unclear how he bypassed border controls, with President Maia Sandu suggesting he may have used an identity unknown to Moldovan authorities. Iankovski reportedly holds both Russian and Ukrainian citizenship.