there is concern that Russia may have plans to invade “Moldova” or annex parts of the region. to open a way to the side of Ukraine and closer to the borders of NATO
After only one anniversary on February 24, the situation of the Russian-Ukrainian war is still very tense. especially in the city of Bakmut of the Donetsk Republic in eastern Ukraine. But the situation in western Ukraine is just as extraordinary. when there is concern that Russia may also have plans to invade “Moldova”.
Tensions are now running high in Moldova, a small country bordering southwestern Ukraine. who accused Russia of trying to sow hope for a coup that could drag Moldova into war.
Summary of the drama “Atomic Heart” when the game Russia Possibly involved in the Ukrainian war
Russian army “Wagner” close to “Bakmut”, only 2 km left.
Putin slams the West for sending weapons to Ukraine wanting to destroy Russia
Moldovan president Maia Sandu accused Russia of using “saboteurs” disguised as civilians. causing unrest at a time when Moldova was politically unstable He will intervene in the same way as he did in the Crimea region of Ukraine in 2014.
meanwhile Russian President Vladimir Putin accused Ukraine of planning an attack on pro-Russian territories in Moldova. Adding to the fear that he is trying to pretext for the annexation of the Moldovan region or maybe even an invasion.
Moldova is currently experiencing serious instability. of high energy prices and massive inflation Until the new prime minister had to be replaced. Pro-Russian protests broke out in many areas. Especially in the capital of the country, Chisinau. with support from pro-Russian political parties
President Sandu said Russia is looking to take advantage of the situation, he said, since the end of last year. The government of Moldova has found a way to cope. “Military-trained saboteurs disguise themselves as civilians to carry out violent sabotage missions, such as attacks on government buildings. and take hostages.”
Sandu also claimed that people who are disguised as “the opposition” are trying to force a change of power in Moldova through these violent damages.
Ioulian Groza, former Deputy Foreign Minister of Moldova “It is clear that these threats come from Russia. and the desire to intensify the war against us is very high.”
Although Russia tried to show its innocence that it was not part of the unrest in Moldova. But the situation is now very similar to Russia’s actions before the annexation of Crimea in 2014 and its full invasion of Ukraine last year.
Moldova is another country with pro-Russian separatist groups. in the region of Transnistria (Transnistria) and Russian troops are stationed here. Similarly there are pro-Russian separatist groups in Luhansk and Donetsk.
On February 21, Putin revoked a 2012 foreign policy decree recognizing Moldova’s independence. Then, on February 23, Russia’s Defense Ministry accused Ukraine of “Prepare armed provocation” against pro-Russian separatists in the Transnistrian region.
if you go back This is similar to Putin’s similar claim last year that Russians were being targeted in Luhansk and Donetsk and that a “special military operation in Ukraine” would be needed to protect Russian citizens in such an area.
That is, Russia may use the excuse that the Russians and their supporters in Moldova are threatened. move so to protect those people He has to find a way to justify the invasion itself.
Groza said, “It’s happened before. We have seen a constant movement of Russia trying to explore and exploit the territory in Moldova using propaganda.”
last month Moldova’s security chief warned that “There is a very high risk” that Russia will launch a new attack in 2023, targeting the eastern part of Moldova.
Moldova is not a member of the NATO alliance, making it more vulnerable to Russian invasion targets.
If Russia gets Moldova or the Transnistria region It will enable Russia to the side of Ukraine Especially from the southwest and the south In other words, it will be a land bridge that will go through the south of Ukraine. and closer to NATO borders
The current tension in Moldova has caused many airlines to announce the cancellation of all routes into and out of Moldova for a month after Russian missiles previously penetrated Moldovan airspace
Compiled from CNN
Image from AFP
