Transnistria is in danger of being dragged into Russia’s Ukraine war. According to Maia Sandu, President of the Republic of Moldova, the recent explosions in Tiraspol reflect specific goals of the pro-Russian forces present in the area to escalate the tensions and destabilize the situation.
Several explosions occurred in the separatist enclave of Transnistria on April 25-26, a territory that is becoming increasingly important in Russia’s invasion in Ukraine. General Rustam Minnekaiev of the Russian army said on April 22 that his army was pursuing “complete control” of the eastern Donbas region and southern Ukraine and acquiring access to Transnistria.
According to information gathered by the Moldovan authorities, numerous elements in the region are interested in destabilizing the situation, as stated by President Maia Sandu on April 26, during a meeting of the Security Council due to growing tensions in Transnistria.
In the last 24 hours in the Transnistrian region, what has been happening is an escalation of tensions. Recently, there have been several bomb alerts in schools and medical institutions in the area, followed by explosions yesterday and today. The Moldovan authorities are watching carefully and vigilantly. Our analysis shows tensions between different forces within the area interested in destabilizing the situation. This makes the region vulnerable and poses risks to the Republic of Moldova.
Maia Sandu, Republic of Moldova President
The Republic of Moldova’s Supreme Security Council has decided to increase the intensity of traffic checks near the security zone, increase the power of patrols and reviews on the Republic of Moldova’s territory and at the border, raise the level of alert for critical infrastructure security objectives, and raise the alert status of all institutions responsible for maintaining public order and security.
From my point of view, the incidents are subversive actions of the Russian Federation (…), because it is not in the interest of either the Republic of Moldova or, as some suggest, Romania or NATO to currently escalate the situation. I consider Russia an irrational actor who finds it quite difficult to predict its actions.
Maia Sandu, Republic of Moldova President
Transnistria is recognized internationally as part of the Republic of Moldova, western Ukraine borders, and is home to 1,500 Russian soldiers and a significant weapons stockpile. Since the early 1990s, Russia has had a military presence in Transnistria.
On the edge of these events, the Romanian Defence Minister, Vasile Dincu, commented on the situation in the separatist region of Transnistria. Vasile Dincu appreciated the way the Republic of Moldova’s government handled the sensitive situation and added that he does not believe a war in the neighboring eastern country is a possibility.
An attempt to create a conflict that, according to our data, has no chance to develop. I don’t think there is any possibility of war in Moldova. (…) I remind you that the Republic of Moldova is neutral from a military and political point of view, so from this point of view, to be neutral is very good.
Vasile Dincu, Romanian Minister of Defence
According to CNN military analysts, Russia aims to rely on Transnistria for logistical support and use its strategic location to construct a land corridor along the Black Sea to capture Odesa’s port city.
Photo Source: Presidency of the Republic of Moldova website
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