Transnistria not to conduct military operation against Ukraine
Transnistria lacks a military force capable of invading Ukraine (photo: Getty Images)
Ukrainian military currently does not observe any significant activity in the territory of the unrecognized Transnistrian Moldovan Republic (PMR), states the Head of the United Coordinating Press Center of Security and Defense Forces of the South of Ukraine, Natalia Humeniuk.
Border is securely fortified
"On the territory of Transnistria, we do not observe any significant activity," she noted.
Responding to questions about the self-proclaimed PMR allegedly intending to confirm its desire to join the Russian Federation, Humeniuk stated that currently, there is more of a stirring of this topic in the information space and attempts to create socio-political tension in these territories.
The Head of the United Coordinating Press Center of Security and Defense Forces of the South of Ukraine assured that the state border is reliably protected, and fortified, and its inviolability is ensured.
"From the side of the Transnistrian Republic, we understand that such escalating situations were predictable. Indeed, the attack that took place at night towards the Odesa region, including the use of missiles, is additional pressure and an attempt to convince that support will be provided in case of a turbulent situation there," Humeniuk said.
Annexation to the Russian Federation is not confirmed
Andrii Yusov, the spokesman for Ukraine's Defence Intelligence, in a comment to Ukrainska Pravda, stated that deputies of the unrecognized Transnistrian region do not plan to appeal to the Russian dictator Vladimir Putin at the congress regarding the accession of the PMR to Russia.
"According to our information, the claim that on 28 February the Transnistrian ‘authorities’ are going to ask Russia about joining its territory is currently unconfirmed," he said.
No military formations for an attack
The Institute for the Study of War (ISW) in its report stated that it has not observed any signs indicating attempts by a limited grouping of Russian forces in Transnistria to conduct ground operations that could threaten Ukraine. They are confident that this force grouping is incapable of initiating a significant ground operation against Ukraine.
The Institute published a warning forecast on February 22 and estimated that Transnistrian officials may demand a referendum on annexation to Russia to support Russian hybrid operations aimed at political and social destabilization of Moldova.
"ISW’s warning reflects threats to Moldova’s stability rather than Ukraine’s military situation," the report said.
Situation in Transnistria
Recently, the Institute for the Study of War reported that in the Transnistrian region of Moldova, which is controlled by pro-Russian separatists, representatives of the unrecognized government may organize a fake pseudo-referendum on February 28 regarding the annexation of the so-called Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic to Russia.
Earlier, Moldova's President Maia Sandu did not rule out that in the coming years, there would be a geopolitical opportunity to resolve the issue of the Transnistrian region.
The Romanian General Staff believes that if Russia wins the war against Ukraine, the next target of the aggressor will be Moldova.
Last fall, Russia was buying off voters participating in local elections in Transnistria.
