Ukraine's Ambassador to Moldova reveals number of Russian soldiers in Transnistria
Photo: Ambassador reveals how many Russian troops are currently stationed in Transnistria (Russian media)
The "Operational Group of Russian Forces" (OGRF), which is stationed in the self-proclaimed "Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic", now includes over a thousand armed men, according to Ukraine's Ambassador to Moldova, Paun Rohovei.
"Currently, there are over a thousand armed personnel in Transnistria as part of the so-called "Operational Group of Russian Forces" (OGRF). Moreover, this OGRF also serves as the source for the so-called 'peacekeeping mission,' which includes the so-called 'Transnistrian armed forces.' In our view, these are illegal armed formations," the Ambassador says.
According to him, the so-called peacekeeping mission of the Russians in Transnistria should be reformatted into a civilian one, led by one of the international organizations, such as the UN or the OSCE. And for this, first of all, demilitarization must be carried out, which, according to the ambassador, should include three components.
Among other things, it should include the disposal of ammunition, which has been stored in large quantities in the village of Cobasna since Soviet times.
The Ambassador says that it is not necessary to remove them, explaining that the munitions were manufactured in the 1950s and 1960s and needed to be disposed of. He adds that there had been and continued to be projects and proposals, and that technology was now developing so rapidly that it was possible to come, set up a plant, and complete the process in a relatively short time
"Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic"
The unrecognized "Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic" (PMR) emerged in 1990 when pro-Russian forces on the left bank of the Dniester River announced the creation of their own entity in response to Moldova's aspirations for independence.
The formal declaration took place on September 2, 1990. The conflict between Chisinau and Tiraspol escalated into armed confrontation in 1992, which ended with the signing of a ceasefire agreement brokered by Russia.
Since then, Transnistria has effectively existed as a self-proclaimed state, but it is not recognized by any country in the world, including Russia.
A Russian military contingent is still stationed on the territory of the "PMR", supporting the separatist authorities.
Meanwhile, a military parade was held in Tiraspol on September 2 to mark the 35th anniversary of the so-called republic. There had been no such event for four years.
Earlier, the authorities of unrecognized Transnistria announced their desire to seek independence with subsequent accession to Russia.
