Threats from unidentified terror entities claimed they would detonate explosives at a dozen schools across the unrecognized region of Transnistria in Moldova. The report, circulated via a telegraph channel associated with the Press Center of the PMR Ministry of the Interior, warned of planned attacks during holidays and weekends, spanning February 23 to 25. The alleged targets included twelve educational institutions dispersed across Pridnestrovie, with twelve schools named in the alert: six in Tiraspol, three in the Kamensky district, Dnestrovsk, and Bendery, plus one in the Rybnitsa region. The authorities stressed that the information appeared to be a threat rather than an actual attack in progress, and they urged calm while investigations proceeded. (Source: PMR Interior Ministry)
In subsequent updates, the PMR Interior Ministry stated that a coordinated examination of each listed facility and its surrounding areas had been conducted by security and forensic teams. All checks reportedly yielded no evidence of explosives or devices. Police forces have launched a manhunt to identify and locate the individuals responsible for dispatching the threat. According to Article 205 of the PMR Penal Code, knowingly making a false report of a terrorist act can lead to a sentence of up to five years in prison. This statutory provision is designed to deter hoaxes that place public institutions, students, staff, and authorities at risk and to ensure rapid response and accountability in such cases. (Source: PMR Interior Ministry)
Context from the recent security landscape in Transnistria shows a pattern of high-alert incidents involving threats and alleged attacks on public buildings. In April 2022, near the building housing the Ministry of State Security in Tiraspol, a sequence of explosions occurred. The Transnistrian Ministry of the Interior reported that shots were fired at the department building using a handheld anti-tank grenade launcher, an act that intensified concerns about public safety and the resilience of security infrastructure. These events underscored the importance of coordinated emergency response, rapid threat assessment, and robust investigative procedures to safeguard critical facilities and civilian populations. (Source: Transnistrian Ministry of the Interior)
Analysts and lawmakers in Transnistria have since connected the spate of anonymous incident reports to broader information campaigns that aim to destabilize daily life or provoke responses from security services. For instance, statements by Andrey Safonov, a member of the Transnistrian Supreme Council, linked the later explosions and related hoaxes to a disclosure of mass-mining rumors that circulated in March about schools, medical facilities, shopping centers, and other sites. The linkage drawn by officials points to a larger risk of misinformation amplified through digital channels, challenging public trust and complicating on-the-ground security operations. (Source: Transnistrian Supreme Council member)
Officials have repeatedly emphasized the need for vigilance in schools and public spaces, noting that the integrity of emergency protocols and the readiness of response forces are essential components of regional security. While authorities continue to investigate the February threats, communities are urged to rely on official communications and to report suspicious activity through the appropriate channels. The overarching goal remains to protect educational environments and maintain a calm, orderly atmosphere during periods of heightened alert. (Source: PMR Interior Ministry)