Moldova’s pro-EU authorities have repeatedly accused Russia of trying to destabilise the former Soviet republic, including by interfering in government institutions and elections.

The country’s security service last month expelled three Russian diplomats after it accused Moscow’s embassy of helping lawmaker Alexandr Nesterovschi – who was facing years in prison – flee to the pro-Russian breakaway region of Transnistria.

Russia, on Friday, rejected the claims and said it was kicking out three Moldovan diplomats in retaliation.

“Any attempts to accuse the Russian diplomatic mission of interfering in the internal affairs of the Republic of Moldova have no grounds whatsoever,” the Russian foreign ministry said in a statement.

Lawmaker Nesterovschi had disappeared just before a Moldovan court sentenced him to 12 years in prison for corruption and illegal funding of a party linked to fugitive businessman Ilan Shor, who has taken refuge in Russia.

Russia and Moldova have expelled dozens of diplomats in recent years, with relations strained as Moldova seeks to join the EU and since Moscow launched its military offensive on Ukraine.