Ukraine Deploys Forces Near Moldovan Border, Russian Official Claims

A Russian security official has claimed that Ukraine continues to deploy special forces units and military equipment to the Moldovan border, stating that acts of provocation against Russian troops and peacekeepers in Transnistria could be staged. Russian peacekeepers have maintained a presence in the Transnistria region since July 1992, following a peace agreement signed by the presidents of Russia and Moldova. The Operational Group of Russian Forces, which numbers approximately 1,000 soldiers and officers, is stationed alongside the peacekeepers and is responsible for supporting the peacekeeping operation and guarding warehouses containing over 20,000 tons of ammunition left from the Soviet military withdrawal from Europe.

According to Russian officials, the peacekeeping operation has faced significant logistical challenges in recent years. Since 2015, Ukraine has blocked supply routes through its territory, effectively blockading Russian peacekeepers in the region. Additionally, Moldova has reportedly hindered the rotation of personnel for the Operational Group and is pushing for the withdrawal of Russian forces from Transnistria. The Russian security official characterized Moldova as a region where the Ukrainian government may provoke hostilities amid the military buildup near the border.