Kiev confirms that it mined the border with the Republic of Moldova, on the Transnistria segment. Chisinau's reaction
Kiev confirms the placement of mines and the strengthening of defenses on the border with the Republic of Moldova, on the Transnistrian segment, and warns that the controlled region could be used by Russia for destabilizing actions behind the front.
Russian soldiers at the border between Transnistria and the Republic of Moldova. PHOTO: EPA-EFE
Ukraine is carrying out reinforced defense measures on the border with the Republic of Moldova, on the segment bordering the Transnistrian region, including mining operations and the deployment of additional units of the border service.
The announcement was made during the evening of Thursday, April 2, by the Ukrainian presidential adviser Mihailo Podoliak, who explained that this area could become a vulnerable point in the context of the war, NewsMaker notes.
The Transnistrian region, where a Russian military contingent is stationed, represents, according to Kiev, a potential platform for hybrid actions or simulated strikes behind the Ukrainian front.
Ukraine has significantly strengthened its presence at the border
Invited to a television station in Chisinau, the president's adviser Volodimir Zelenski detailed the reasons for these actions. Thus, Mihailo Podoliak explained that the Ukrainian authorities are considering the possibility of Russia using the Transnistrian region to put additional pressure on the Ukrainian army and disrupt military logistics.
“We understand that the Transnistrian region could be used by Russia for miming strikes behind the Ukrainian front, or for strikes on logistics, and, respectively, we want to ensure from this point of view. There is a contingent of troops there. But in order for Russia not to use the opportunity to destroy logistics, not to create movements, as happened in Belarus, we undertake these mining actions”, said Mihailo Podoleak in the program “In Depth” from ProTV Chisinau.
According to him, the mining operations are complemented by the strengthening of border control. “There are additional detachments of border guards, who carry out additional control over the area,” said the Ukrainian official.
Podoliak emphasized that the crossing points on the Transnistrian segment have not been functioning for several years, but remain under strict monitoring.
“All the crossings have been closed since the time when Russia took control of the Transnistrian region, that is, since 1990-1991. None of the crossings are working, but they must be kept under control so that Russia cannot use diversionary groups and provoke ground actions, destroying logistics.” the presidential adviser explained.
To illustrate the risks, Podoliak referred to the situation in northern Ukraine, where in the Sumy and Chernihiv regions “periodically, diversionary groups enter villages, destroy houses, make fun of people, try to take someone with them as hostages, destroy infrastructure – bridges, energy objects.”
“Russia will not stop its escalation,” added Mihailo Podoliak.
“They are now attacking, simulating drone strikes, checking how anti-missile systems work in different countries, including Romania and Moldova. (…) One of these activities is the involvement of the contingent that is in illegally seized or controlled territories to provoke, already through ground operations,” he pointed out.
How Moldovan officials comment
In a tense information context, a Ukrainian publication recently reported on the mining of the border with the Republic of Moldova, but later withdrew the article. Asked about this, the Moldovan Deputy Prime Minister for Reintegration, Valeriu Chiveri, commented on the information in a televised show, stating that he does not have additional details.
“We also followed the information that appeared, only to later disappear. But I would mention that Ukraine has every right and not only the right, but also the interest to maintain the segment of the Moldovan-Ukrainian border, on this segment, in an increased defense capacity. I would not be very surprised if this happened”. commented the Moldovan official.
