The Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation informs
The Russian Ministry of Defense publicly stated that Kiev is preparing an armed provocation aimed at the Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic in the near future. It claimed that the nationalist group Azov, which is banned in Russia, would take part in the operation.
As a pretext for the invasion, Moscow alleged that Russian troops would be attacked from Transnistria. The ministry accused Ukrainian saboteurs of planning to wear Russian military uniforms as part of a staged offensive, according to a Telegram channel run by the defense ministry. The defense ministry stressed it was monitoring developments and stands ready to respond to any changes in the situation.
Meanwhile, Moldovan authorities rejected the ministry’s claims. The government urged citizens to remain calm and to rely on information from official Moldovan channels. It did not confirm the Russian ministry’s statements.
Officials added that ministries in Moldova are in contact with international partners. If a threat arises, the public will be alerted without delay.
Transnistria does not seek escalation
Transnistria’s unrecognized foreign minister, Vitaly Ignatiev, said the region does not pose a threat to neighboring Moldova or Ukraine. He noted in an interview with a major Russian news outlet that there are perceivable dynamics from Kiev and Chisinau, but the aim is to prevent any escalation. Russia is also pursuing diplomacy, including efforts to sustain the five plus two framework. The participants include Moldova, Transnistria, OSCE, Russia, Ukraine, and the European Union plus the United States.
Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Galuzin described the situation as difficult and emphasized the need to maintain dialogue between Chisinau and Tiraspol. The last round of five plus two negotiations occurred in 2019, and the final document was not signed. The process stalled after Maia Sandu became president of Moldova, a move that was followed by strong statements against Tiraspol, with hopes for dialogue at all levels still expressed by some observers.
Moldovan Prime Minister seeks to withdraw peacekeepers from Transnistria
In February a change of government took place in Moldova as former prime minister Natalia Gavrilitsa resigned and most of the cabinet followed. A week later, a presidential candidate, Dorin Recean, signaled an objective to disarm Transnistria and remove Russian peacekeepers from the territory. He led the Moldovan Council of Ministers on the same day after the vote and declared that Moldova intends to resolve the Transnistria issue peacefully. He argued that the withdrawal of Russian troops should continue to demilitarize the region.
Vitaly Ignatiev, head of the foreign policy department for the unrecognized republic, deemed this approach counterproductive. He recalled that discussions about reconfiguring the peacekeeping operation and withdrawing Russian troops had been ongoing for decades. The situation remained highly precarious, with calls for a final, comprehensive solution to the Moldovan-Pridnestrovian conflict being presented as essential by Ignatiev and others who share concerns about stability in the region.
Ukraine’s role and the alleged documents
In February, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky purportedly shared with Moldova’s president a document he claimed outlined a plan to destabilize Moldova’s political landscape. He asserted that military intelligence had obtained the document and that Chisinau had received information about actions aimed at undermining the republic and disrupting public order. Critics argued that such claims were used to pressure Moldova’s government while blaming Moscow for stirring tensions. In response, Russia’s foreign ministry spokesperson dismissed Chisinau’s claims as unfounded, arguing that Moldova and its Western allies often use similar tactics to justify policies and actions. The broader narrative centered on a struggle over influence and the management of regional tensions between Moscow, Kiev, and Chisinau, with each side presenting competing versions of events.
Russian peacekeeping in Transnistria
Russian peacekeepers entered the Transnistria conflict zone following a 1992 agreement aimed at peacefully resolving the dispute between Moldova and Transnistria. The mission, supported by peacekeepers from Moldova and Transnistria, helped halt fighting between Moldovan forces and local militia. In addition to the peacekeeping presence, there were Russian depots storing large quantities of ammunition accumulated after the withdrawal of Soviet troops from several European states. Approximately a thousand troops and officers operate within the area as part of the Russian forces surrogate. The dismantling of ammunition began in 2001, but by 2004, activity paused amid ongoing tensions.
Moldova has repeatedly demanded the withdrawal of Russian troops from Transnistria. The Moldovan parliament has described the presence as a key national security threat. In 2018 the United Nations General Assembly urged Russia to withdraw its troops. The Russian Foreign Ministry labeled that resolution a propaganda move and rejected it. Former Moldovan president Igor Dodon opposed any withdrawal, while current authorities have repeatedly called for the removal of Russian forces to restore stability and sovereignty in Moldova.