Moldova’s intelligence chief is expecting a Russian offensive against his republic – possibly this winter or next spring. The Russian plans go beyond the breakaway region of Transnistria.
The secret service of the Republic of Moldova, which borders Ukraine, fears a Russian invasion next year. “The question is not whether the Russian Federation will launch a new offensive against the territory of Moldova, but when,” intelligence chief Alexandru Musteata said on state television. A period between January and April is possible. With the “new” offensive, Musteata was referring to the stationing of Russian soldiers in Transnistria, which has been a breakaway since the early 1990s, and who act there as so-called peacekeeping troops.
According to information from his secret service, Russia intends to connect Transnistria and Moldova. “Yes, we can clearly say that they intend to come here,” he said. The Russian plans in relation to the capital Chisinau are not yet apparent. “But that’s a real and very high risk.”
Since the Russian invasion of Ukraine, relations between Moscow and Chisinau have become even more tense than they have been in previous years. Just a few days ago, Russia accused Moldova of censorship for blocking TV channels. In the former Soviet republic, the right to freedom of expression and information is being violated, said Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova in Moscow.
The Moldovan government had justified the blocking of six channels with what it believed to be untrue reporting. The broadcasters are closely linked to the businessman Ilan Shor, who from his exile in Israel repeatedly stirs up sentiment against President Maia Sandu’s pro-Western government.
