Transnistria explosions: Moldova switches to anti-Putin camp and supports Ukraine

Created: 04/28/2022, 15:01

By: Bedrettin Bölükbasi

Ukraine is now also receiving aid from Moldova.

After explosions in Transnistria and statements by Russia, the country joins the anti-Putin camp.

Munich/Tiraspol - On April 25 and 26, multiple explosions rocked the pro-Russian de facto Republic of Transnistria in Moldova, right on the border with Ukraine.

The Ministry of State Security in Tiraspol, the capital of the breakaway region, and two Soviet-era radio towers were targeted.

Rocket launchers used in the attack were spotted outside the ministry.

The development comes amid the escalating Ukraine conflict.

In Russia and in the pro-Russian region, Ukraine has been blamed for the attacks.

Suddenly, Russian officers spoke of oppression of the Russian-speaking population in Moldova.

A deputy foreign minister even hinted at military intervention in Moldova if necessary.

Ukraine itself sees another Russian “false flag” operation to open a new front in the Ukraine war.

Now some fear a possible extension of the war in Ukraine to Transnistria.

After the Russian statements on the situation in Moldova, the country wants to take measures and become active.

Ukraine's Interior Ministry adviser Anton Gerashenko confirmed Moldova's decision, the

reported.

The government in Chisinau is now taking a harder line against Kremlin chief Vladimir Putin's Russia.

This is not about a direct confrontation, but rather about supporting Ukraine, which represents a significant change in Moldova's previous position.

Transnistria explosions: video of attacks surfaced - worrying statements from Moscow

With the attack on the Ministry for State Security in Tiraspol on April 25, all eyes were on the breakaway region of Transnistria, in addition to the Ukraine war.

Because at the latest after the allegations of the strongly pro-Russian government, the incident should not be viewed without reference to Ukraine.

"The traces of these attacks lead to Ukraine," said the president of the de facto republic, Vadim Nikolayevich Krasnoselsky, adding: "I assume those who carried out these attacks want Transnistria to participate in the Ukraine war .” In the meantime, footage of the attack in Tiraspol has surfaced.

In addition, the Russian Major General Rustam Minnekaev confirmed to the Russian agency TASS that the Donbass region and the south of Ukraine were to be completely controlled and thus created access to Transnistria.

At the same time, he claimed that the Russian-speaking population in Moldova was being "oppressed" - an argument that was used by Russia to justify the Ukraine invasion.

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Andrei Rudenko even raised the prospect of military intervention in Moldova.

But they want to prevent this, according to Rudenko.

There are already Russian soldiers, bases and weapons caches in breakaway Transnistria.

Ukraine War: Moldova Turnaround After Transnistria Explosions - Chisinau Joins Sanctions

Statements from Moscow caused alarm in Moldova.

In the landmark parliamentary elections in July last year, the population voted unequivocally for the pro-European course of President Maia Sandu's Action and Solidarity party.

Pro-Russian factions, on the other hand, suffered a bitter defeat in the election.

For Vladimir Putin, according to experts, the election in Moldova meant a gradual loss of Russian influence in the neighborhood.

Despite the clear political direction, Moldova initially did not want to join the EU sanctions against Russia.

This would lead to destabilization and jeopardize the supply of the own population, Sandu explained to the Moldovan edition of the radio station Radio Free Europe at the beginning of April.

They wanted to remain neutral, it said.

However, the explosions in Transnistria and Russia's statements, which give rise to fears of a possible military intervention, apparently led to a rethink in Moldova.

Ukraine War: Moldova participates in sanctions, sends de-mining personnel in Kyiv

In a major turnaround within just a month, following deliberations in the immediately convened Security Council, President Sandu revealed her country's intention to join the sanctions against Russia.

The Moldovan banking system will participate in the EU countries' financial sanctions against Moscow, she stressed on the Moldovan news channel JurnalTV.

In addition, qualified personnel for the removal of Russian mines are to make their way to the Ukraine and, above all, to be active in settlements around the capital Kyiv.

"We are trying to help Ukraine and provide traffic arteries," Sandu explained.

The Ukraine is supplied with fuel via these traffic arteries, for example.

Humanitarian aid was also offered to Ukraine.

Sandu described her Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelenskyj as "brave" and "world class".