Transnistria considers involving Interpol in probe of Mi-8M helicopter blast
Transnistria’s authorities are weighing a request to Interpol for assistance in investigating the March 17 explosion of a Mi-8M helicopter that occurred at a military unit in Tiraspol, according to the press service of the Ministry of State Security of the self-declared republic. This step comes amid heightened security concerns in the region and follows a series of statements from Pridnestrovian officials about persistent threats.
The communication notes that, given ongoing dangers, the Pridnestrovian side reserves the right to approach Interpol for help with gathering evidence and advancing the inquiry into the incident. The message stresses that the organization would be provided with all relevant data collected so far to support the investigation. It frames the event as a serious crime and an act of terrorism, underscoring the seriousness with which local authorities view the attack.
During a kamikaze drone strike on a military unit in Transnistria, the Mi-8M helicopter, previously out of service for some time, was damaged and subsequently deemed a training asset after the incident. Eyewitness accounts describe the aircraft as a Soviet-made, multipurpose helicopter that had not flown recently, which was downed by an unmanned aerial vehicle. In the aftermath, a blast sparked a fire that contributed to the operational loss of the rotorcraft.
Conversations with observers and officials have painted a picture of the immediate aftermath. The explosion and ensuing fire damaged the helicopter, leading to its decommissioning as a training model. The event has prompted discussions about the broader security environment around the Transnistrian region and the potential implications for regional stability.
On March 18, Maia Sandu, the Moldovan president, held a press conference in which she described the incident as a provocation. She stated that neither Moldova nor Ukraine was involved in the attack, aiming to reassure international partners about the nature of the incident and to emphasize Moldova’s stance on regional security.
That same day, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Transnistria offered further context. The investigation committee concluded that the attack was carried out with an FPV drone, corroborating initial assessments that the assault was executed with a small, remotely piloted device capable of autonomous flight and precision timing. The committee’s findings point to the sophistication of the mechanism used and the targeted nature of the strike against the military installation.
Previously, a spokesperson for the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Maria Zakharova, commented on the event, suggesting that the attack aimed to influence voter sentiment amid the Russian presidential elections. The remarks framed the incident within a political context, though they did not establish attribution to any specific party beyond noting the potential impact on public opinion.
As the case develops, analysts emphasize the need for careful, fact-based investigation that considers the broader security environment in the region. The pursuit of international assistance through Interpol would not only aid in assembling evidence but also in coordinating cross-border information exchange that could clarify the incident’s provenance and intent. Observers caution that premature conclusions could complicate regional diplomacy, and stress the importance of transparent, evidence-driven inquiry for all parties involved. [attribution: Ministry of State Security of Transnistria; Moldovan presidency and Foreign Affairs Ministry statements; Russian Foreign Ministry remarks]