The Kremlin is preparing Transnistria for destabilization in the region, said Vitalie Marinuta, member of the League of Cities and Communities (LOC) party and former Minister of Defense of Moldova, during a series of meetings with congressmen and representatives of the U.S. State Department in Washington.
“We are witnessing intensified Kremlin efforts to turn Transnistria into a platform for military provocations that could seriously destabilize Moldova, creating a new hotspot of tension on the borders of Ukraine and NATO countries,” stated Marinuta during his visit to the U.S., where he traveled together with his party colleagues to seek American support and build a foundation for consolidated pro-Western efforts ahead of Moldova’s parliamentary elections.
According to Marinuta, the security threat from Transnistria should be considered a top priority in bilateral discussions.
“Firearms, grenade launchers, mines, grenades, and other munitions are being transported from the Cobasna depots to the Tiraspol airfield once every one or two weeks. Since the legal rotation of Russian troops in Transnistria is practically impossible at present, some Russian military personnel fly through Chisinau using diplomatic passports,” said the former Minister of Defense.
During the Washington meetings, it was also noted that if pro-Russian forces come to power in Moldova, Russia would gain the ability to transfer cargo and troops into Transnistria, giving the Kremlin freedom to organize possible military or terrorist provocations. Both sides agreed this must not be allowed.
“It is interesting that more and more Russian soldiers do not want to return to Russia for rotation, since they face deployment to the Ukrainian front. Transnistria is now considered a privileged posting for military service,” Marinuta added.