Security services in Transdniestria, a breakaway region of Moldova, have claimed to have thwarted an assassination attempt against the region’s leader by Ukraine. According to Russian state news agencies, the ministry of state security in Transdniestria has prevented a terrorist attack and detained several suspects. The ministry said in a statement that on the instructions of the Security Service of Ukraine, a crime was being prepared against a number of officials.
However, the Ukrainian Security Service has called the accusation a “provocation orchestrated by the Kremlin.” The Ukrainian agency added: “Lies and provocations are the weapons (Russia) actively uses. But today the entire world sees the true face of the aggressor country and does not believe the statements of Russia or its satellites.”
Transdniestria, which is located along Ukraine’s southwestern border with Moldova, broke away from Moldova’s control in 1990, a year before the collapse of the Soviet Union. Since then, the region has relied on Russian support. Its allegiance to Moscow and location on Ukraine’s western border have been a cause of concern, with fears that the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine could spread to the region.
In February, Russia accused Ukraine of planning to invade Transdniestria after allegedly staging a ‘false flag’ operation there, a claim Kyiv denied. Moldova also rejected Russia’s claim. Moscow has stated that any actions that threaten Russian peacekeepers stationed in Transdniestria would be viewed as an attack on itself.
The situation in the region remains tense, with continued allegations and counter-claims amid fears of further conflict. Transdniestria is a mainly Russian-speaking territory that remains unrecognized by the international community, except for Russia and a few other countries.
Background on Transdniestria
Transdniestria is a small territory with a population of around 500,000 people. It is located on the east bank of the Dniester River, bordering Ukraine to the east and Moldova to the west. The region declared independence from Moldova in 1990, fearing that the newly independent Moldova would seek to reunite with Romania, which shares a common language and cultural ties with Moldova.
A brief war followed in 1992, which ended in a ceasefire but no political settlement. Transdniestria continues to be administered as a de facto state, with its own government, constitution, military, and currency. However, it remains unrecognized by the international community except for Russia, which maintains a military presence in the region.
Transdniestria has been a source of tension between Russia and Ukraine. In addition to its strategic location, the region is home to a large number of ethnic Russians and Russian speakers. Moscow has used Transdniestria as a bargaining chip in its relations with Moldova and Ukraine, seeking to maintain its influence in the region and prevent the two countries from moving closer to the West.
Recent tensions between Ukraine and Russia
The situation in Transdniestria comes amid rising tensions between Ukraine and Russia. The two countries have been in a state of conflict since Russia’s annexation of Crimea in 2014, which sparked a war in eastern Ukraine between Ukrainian government forces and Russian-backed separatists. The war has killed more than 13,000 people and displaced millions.
In recent weeks, there have been increasing reports of military activity and troop movements along the border between Ukraine and Russia. Both sides have accused each other of violating the ceasefire in eastern Ukraine and preparing for an escalation of hostilities.