Will this be the new front?
Russian media: Separatists in Transnistria ask Moscow for “protection”
February 28, 2024, 1:42 p.m
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In recent months there have been repeated signs of growing tension in the conflict over Transnistria. Now the separatists there are apparently turning directly to Moscow for help. Observers fear a new front in Russia’s conflict with Ukraine.
The pro-Russian separatists in the breakaway Moldovan region of Transnistria have asked Russia for “protection” against Moldova, according to Russian media. At a special congress, the Transnistrian authorities decided to make a corresponding declaration, as reported by Russian news agencies and local media. Loud RIA Novosti The separatists ask Russia to take “measures” “taking into account the fact of the permanent residence of more than 220,000 Russian citizens on the territory of the Transnistrian Moldovan Republic and the unique positive experience of Russian peacekeeping on the Dniester.”
In the breakaway Moldovan region of Transnistria, the pro-Russian separatists ruling there met for a special congress for the first time since 2006. This is only the seventh such meeting in the de facto self-governing region. Observers fear that a new front in Russia’s conflict with Ukraine could be opened in Transnistria.
At the last special congress in 2006, the separatists announced a referendum for annexation to Russia, at which an overwhelming majority later voted in favor.
The self-proclaimed Republic of Transnistria, controlled by pro-Russian separatists, is located in southwest Moldova on the border with Ukraine. The Ukrainian military fears that Russia could attack from Transnistria towards the nearby southwestern Ukrainian port city of Odessa.
1,500 Russian soldiers in Transnistria
The self-proclaimed Republic of Transnistria is a breakaway, narrow strip of land on the border with Ukraine. In 1992, separatists fought the pro-Western Moldovan government in a brief civil war that left hundreds dead. Transnistria now has its own currency, security forces and passports.
Around 1,500 Russian soldiers are stationed in the area, which belongs to Moldova under international law but is controlled by pro-Russian separatists. Most people in Transnistria are Russian-speaking, and many of them also have Moldovan, Russian or Ukrainian citizenship.
Moscow, in turn, supports the region, in which around 465,000 people live, economically and politically – including with free gas deliveries. However, since the conflict with Ukraine, the connection between Russia and Transnistria has been severely affected.
In recent months there have been repeated signs of growing tension in the conflict over Transnistria. In 2022, several explosions with unknown causes rocked the area. In March 2023, the leadership of the pro-Russian separatists declared that Ukraine had carried out a failed assassination attempt against their leader. Last week, the Russian Defense Ministry finally declared that Ukraine was planning a military attack on Transnistria – but provided no evidence of this.