The Arms Smuggling Affair from Ukraine and the Connection of the 'Chief Rabbi of Moldova'

The affair of smuggling weapons from Ukraine is linked to Rabbi Pinchas Salzman, who presents himself as the Chief Rabbi of Moldova. The weapons were seized in November 2025 at the Moldova-Romania border crossing. Salzman denies any involvement, and the Jewish community claims he was not elected to the position.

The affair of smuggling weapons from Ukraine, which were seized in November 2025 in a truck at the border crossing between Moldova and Romania, continues to expand. According to publications in Moldovan and Russian media, and based on a published court ruling, the name of Rabbi Pinchas Salzman, who presents himself as the Chief Rabbi of Moldova, was mentioned several times in testimonies and investigation materials. However, the ruling does not determine that Salzman committed any offense, and he strongly denies any connection to the affair. The seized weapons included anti-tank and anti-aircraft systems, RPG launchers, and drone parts. The driver stated that the shipment's destination was Israel. One of the defendants, Alexei Pyankovsky, claimed in his investigation that Salzman asked him to transfer equipment from Ukraine to Moldova and then to Israel, describing the items as "leftovers" of humanitarian equipment. The ruling noted conversations between defendants and Salzman and weapons photos from his phone, but without establishing criminal responsibility. Sources in the Jewish community claimed that Salzman has not been seen in Moldova for many months, and that a new chief rabbi was appointed. Salzman rejected the claims and emphasized that he acted to help refugees in accordance with the law. The affair is being handled in courts in Moldova and Romania, and some defendants have been released or confessed.