Mihailo Podoleak, advisor to Volodymyr Zelensky, confirmed the security measures at the border with the Republic of Moldova on the Transnistrian segment, including mining operations and increased control. He said authorities consider these measures necessary to prevent potential destabilizing actions by the Russian Federation, reports IPN.
Podoleak explained that Ukraine is considering the possibility that Russia could use the Transnistrian region to create additional pressure on the army.
“We understand that Russia could use the Transnistrian region to simulate strikes behind the Ukrainian front or target logistics, so we want to protect ourselves from this perspective. There is a contingent of troops there. To prevent Russia from destroying logistics or creating movements, as happened in Belarus, we are carrying out these mining actions,” Podoleak said during the program “În Profunzime” on ProTV Chișinău.
In addition to mining operations, he said Ukrainian authorities have strengthened border control. “Additional border guard detachments are carrying out enhanced monitoring of the area,” Podoleak added.
According to him, border crossing points on the Transnistrian segment have not been operational for several years but still require strict supervision.
“All crossing points have remained closed since the period when Russia took control over the Transnistrian region, in the years 1990–1991. None of the crossing points operate, but we must keep them under control so that Russia cannot use diversionary groups or provoke ground actions by targeting logistics,” the advisor explained.