RBC-Ukraine reported that the aggressor country of the Russian Federation is strengthening its military presence and mobilization activities in Transnistria. According to media reports, sabotage and reconnaissance groups can destabilize the situation in Moldova and also try to penetrate Ukraine.
According to Nosatiy, military exercises and inspections of peacekeeping posts are regularly held in the region, but they are aimed only at demonstrating presence and maintaining tension. The minister emphasized that there are no real mobilization measures and call-up of reservists.
He also clarified that there are just over 200 Russian military personnel left in Transnistria, most of whom can return home, and the separatist leaders are faced with a personnel shortage.
Nosatii added that Moldova maintains constant contact with the Ukrainian and Romanian authorities, and the situation in the region remains under control.
Context
Transnistria – autonomous territory of Moldova, where in 1990 the self-proclaimed “Transnistrian Moldavian Republic” declared sovereignty, which led to an armed conflict with Moldova that ended in the summer of 1992. After this, Russian “peacekeeping” forces were introduced into the region.
The conflict has not yet been resolved politically. The world community does not recognize the independence of Transnistria. In 2022, after the start of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe recognized Transnistria as territory occupied by the Russian Federation.
