Russia has accused Ukraine of preparing an “invasion” of the pro-Russian separatist region of Transnistria in Moldova, where a Russian military unit is deployed, vowing to “retaliate” if that happens.
- The tiny region of Transnistria, which declared its secession from Moldova in the 1990s following a brief war, lies on Ukraine’s western border and has been the subject of heightened tensions in recent weeks..
“The Kiev regime has intensified preparations for the invasion of Transnistria,” the Russian Ministry of Defense said on its Telegram channel, adding that the invasion would take place “in response to an alleged attack by Russian forces from the territory of Transnistria.”“.
The Russian army confirmed that it had observed “a large gathering of Ukrainian personnel and military equipment near the border,” “the deployment of cannons at firing positions,” and an “unprecedented increase in the flight of Ukrainian drones over the territory” of the separatist republic..
- The ministry said that “the implementation of the planned provocation by the Ukrainian authorities constitutes a direct threat to the Russian unit” deployed in Transnistria..
- She added that the Russian army “will respond appropriately to the provocation that Ukraine is planning“.
- And the new Prime Minister of Moldova, Dorren Resyan, recently called for the withdrawal of Russian forces from Transnistria, which angered the Kremlin..
- Russian presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Monday that “our counterparts in Moldova should be very careful” in their statements..
The pro-European Moldavian authorities have previously accused Moscow of wanting to incite a coup in the country, an accusation Russia has denied..
