Explosions hit Moscow - backed Transistria territory, Moldova

[Ultegra134]

Explosions have occurred the past 2 days, in Transnistria, a separatist territory of Moldova. The first explosion took place in the Ministry of State Security building in the regional capital of Tiraspol, while the second one was aimed towards a broadcasting center in the village of Mayak. Thankfully, no injuries were documented in any of the attacks. These incidents occurred days after Moscow claimed that the Russian-backed region could be drawn into the war in Ukraine, while the attack was conducted by a grenade launcher, which was found on scene.

Before we look further into these two incidents, let's firstly analyze what Transnistria is. Transnistria, or officially the Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic, is an unrecognized breakaway state that is internationally recognized as part of Moldova. Transnistria controls the majority of the narrow strip of land between the Moldavian - Ukrainian border. Its capital is Tiraspol, which is also the largest city.




The region has been under the control of separatist authorities since the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1992, which sparked a conflict between the newly independent Republic of Moldova and separatists who wanted to maintain relations with the Soviet Union.

No country, including Russia, recognizes the territory as independent, but the Moldovan authorities have no control over the area, which operates as an independent state.

Now that we've analyzed a few basics of the breakaway region of Transnistria, we'll try to see how that interferes with the Ukrainian - Russian war. According to Financial Times, "A senior Russian commander said last week that the Russian army’s move to capture southern Ukraine would open “another way to Transnistria”. Moscow has claimed “there are also instances of oppressing the Russian-speaking population” in Transnistria, an argument that was used to justify the invasion of Ukraine." To summarize, we shouldn't be surprised if another attack was planned against the Moldavian territory, in order to "save" the oppressed citizens. I guess you can see the similarities yourself, that's how the Donbas was "liberated" from Putin.

Russia is keeping 1,500 military personnel in the independent state of Transnistria, as a "peacekeeping" force, Ukrainian officials are afraid of a military advancement of these troops, however, my opinion is that such incident is highly unlikely, the number of troops in the region is insignificant compared to Russia's forces in Ukraine.

According to Al Jazeera, Zelensky on the other hand claims that Ukraine was only the beginning, and Putin will potentially try and seize territories in other countries as well, especially those who do not belong to NATO.

What are your thoughts? Was it a "random" incident, was it the citizens of Transnistria boycotting the Russians? Who knows...

[1714791711]

1714791711

[1714791711]

1714791711

[1714791711]

1714791711

[1714791711]

1714791711

[suchmoon]

This has all the symptoms of an invasion plan/excuse. In addition to the OP:

• Russian FSB/propagandists are spreading rumors than Moldovan army is basically taken over by Romanians/NATO (most officers allegedly are from Romania etc).
• Russian military blew up a bridge in Ukraine that basically cut off the region between Black Sea and Moldova (see the map in the OP) from mainland Ukraine, possibly making it easier to invade Moldova from Black Sea (without going through Odessa)

However given the failure of the Russian forces to make siginificant progress in Ukraine over the last two months and their massive losses, it's unclear how much they can commit to yet another invasion and another front. It would seem reckless. Then again, so did the whole shitshow from the beginning.

Edit: added links.

[istiak2277]

Explosions have occurred the past 2 days, in Transnistria, a separatist territory of Moldova. The first explosion took place in the Ministry of State Security building in the regional capital of Tiraspol, while the second one was aimed towards a broadcasting center in the village of Mayak. Thankfully, no injuries were documented in any of the attacks. These incidents occurred days after Moscow claimed that the Russian-backed region could be drawn into the war in Ukraine, while the attack was conducted by a grenade launcher, which was found on scene.

Not only there but also in Russians mainland there were some events that looks like someone is sabotaging Russia. There were certain important location where first breakout at the same time. One such place were a manufacturing building where small parts of missile were being produced and another was a oil depo if i am not mistaken. Someone is sabotaging Russia from inside.

[Tash]

Just about anyone can agree Moldova is a dump of a place, breaking away from it almost essential for survival.
If Russia or anyone else does not recognise  Transistria so be it.
People who want to live there lives without being dictated by some corrupt entity they have every right to do so (Natural law).

[merchantofzeny]

What are your thoughts? Was it a "random" incident, was it the citizens of Transnistria boycotting the Russians? Who knows...

Well someone could be sabotaging it but is it actively participating in the Ukraine war to be worth sabotaging? Kinda weirdly reminded me of those explosions in Moscow in 1999 that was one of the keys for Putin's rise to power.

The Russian government might not recognize Transnistria for now but they can claim that the region is being sabotaged by Western forces and they'd just do as they did with with Donbas and Luthansk.

I just hope that if all the countries involved in this war managed to survive with their borders intact that they'd just all agree to a population swap. Though that's unlikely coz this is instrumental to Russia's influence in the region, that they can just foment trouble in any part of the former USSR that have a sizeable Russian population.

[Ultegra134]

This has all the symptoms of an invasion plan/excuse. In addition to the OP:

• Russian FSB/propagandists are spreading rumors than Moldovan army is basically taken over by Romanians/NATO (most officers allegedly are from Romania etc).
• Russian military blew up a bridge in Ukraine that basically cut off the region between Black Sea and Moldova (see the map in the OP) from mainland Ukraine, possibly making it easier to invade Moldova from Black Sea (without going through Odessa)

However given the failure of the Russian forces to make siginificant progress in Ukraine over the last two months and their massive losses, it's unclear how much they can commit to yet another invasion and another front. It would seem reckless. Then again, so did the whole shitshow from the beginning.

Edit: added links.

Thanks for the contribution, while Russia's progress is quite slow inside Ukraine's territory, it's certainly upsetting, especially after the fall of Mariupol. It's been two months since the invasion started, and it doesn't seem to end anytime soon. New targets probably include Odesa, Kharkiv, Mykolaiv, so I wouldn't be surprised if he went for Transnistria (which would also mean that Putin would declare war on Moldova, since it's not an independent state).

On the other hand, can we be certain that Putin has showed his full potential? Russia is supposedly one of the largest military superpowers, while it appears that Putin is ahead in the war, he seems to be struggling, it took weeks to conquer Mariupol.

[LTU_btc]

Interesting things happening in Transistria. It's likely that it was some kind of provocations from Russia side to justify potential invasion. It kinda reminds things in Crimea and Donbas 8 years ago where Russia justified their actions by saying that Russian populaton there was opressed.
But I don't see which scenario with Transistria would be real. Attack Ukraine from Transistria? With 1500-2000 troops and mainly old stuff remaining from Soviet Union times? It doesn't sounds like plan. More likely that Ukraie would try to liberate this region.
I think that Putin would like to open land way to Transistria through Ukraine, but it would be difificult, considering how much progress they made in over 2 months.

On the other hand, can we be certain that Putin has showed his full potential? Russia is supposedly one of the largest military superpowers, while it appears that Putin is ahead in the war, he seems to be struggling, it took weeks to conquer Mariupol.

Nope, that's not their full potential. But they simply can't send whole their army to Ukraine and leave other regions uncovered. Then they would have to make martial law and announce mass mobilization, what would raise some questions in society about why this ''special operation'' have failed and haven't achieved initial it's goals.

[suchmoon]

Nope, that's not their full potential. But they simply can't send whole their army to Ukraine and leave other regions uncovered. Then they would have to make martial law and announce mass mobilization, what would raise some questions in society about why this ''special operation'' have failed and haven't achieved initial it's goals.

Arguably these were their best (most battle-ready) units. The quantity doesn't matter that much if the soldiers are unmotivated, poorly trained, and equipped with 1960s "technology", and it can only get worse with mobilization.

[Veleor]

Who is responsible for the strikes? Think about who benefits more from this incident in order to disperse the enemy's forces and directly involve Moldova, neighboring Romania and, potentially, all NATO forces into the conflict.
It should be taken into account that one of the largest military depots in Europe is located in Transnistria, where about 20,000 tons of old ammunition from Soviet times is stored.

The president of Transnistria’s government Vadim Krasnoselsky claimed: "Traces of these attacks lead to Ukraine. I assume that those who organized this attack have the goal of dragging Transnistria into the conflict".

Just a few hours after the incident in Transnistria, former adviser to the Minister of Defense of Ukraine, Yuri Butusov, said that Ukraine should strike at Transnistria in order to save Mariupol.

It is vital for Ukraine to strike at Transnistria for six reasons:
1. Capture of many thousands of Russian prisoners for exchange;
2. Elimination of the threat of a breakthrough by Russian troops, the Russian offensive of Minnekaev will lose its meaning, because we will transfer the liberated Transnistria under the control of the legitimate authorities and the armed forces of Moldova;
3. Liquidation of the black hole on the border of Ukraine, through which Russia drives smuggling flows, and earns billions on this smuggling;
4. Capture of large arsenals of Russian ammunition;
5. The release of two brigades that are forced to protect the Ukrainian south from the threat from Transnistria;
6. Transnistria is a source of international terrorism that threatens the whole of Europe, from where Russian special services illegally supply weapons around the world. Today there was another terrorist attack. It is time to eliminate this threat to Southern Europe.

Also Aleksey Arestovich, who is the current adviser to President Zelensky, showed on YouTube that the capture of Transnistria for the Ukrainian army would be as easy as snapping fingers.

Host: Is Ukraine able to capture Transnistria?
Arestovich: We could do it somehow. This is the territory of sovereign Moldova. We cannot even make such statements, only after the request of the Moldovan side.
Host: We are discussing theoretically. How many forces will be needed to capture Tiraspol?
Arestovich: We can handle it if need be. < snaps fingers >
Host: Yes, yes, yes ...

[Tash]

.........
The president of Transnistria’s
...

A president of a "country" what is not recognized by any country.  Why are there not more of them?

[LTU_btc]

.........
The president of Transnistria’s
...

A president of a "country" what is not recognized by any country.  Why are there not more of them?

Wow, Tash said something what isn't lie and makes sense! Something is going to happen probably...

[Ultegra134]

Who is responsible for the strikes? Think about who benefits more from this incident in order to disperse the enemy's forces and directly involve Moldova, neighboring Romania and, potentially, all NATO forces into the conflict.
It should be taken into account that one of the largest military depots in Europe is located in Transnistria, where about 20,000 tons of old ammunition from Soviet times is stored.

The president of Transnistria’s government Vadim Krasnoselsky claimed: "Traces of these attacks lead to Ukraine. I assume that those who organized this attack have the goal of dragging Transnistria into the conflict".

Just a few hours after the incident in Transnistria, former adviser to the Minister of Defense of Ukraine, Yuri Butusov, said that Ukraine should strike at Transnistria in order to save Mariupol.

It is vital for Ukraine to strike at Transnistria for six reasons:
1. Capture of many thousands of Russian prisoners for exchange;
2. Elimination of the threat of a breakthrough by Russian troops, the Russian offensive of Minnekaev will lose its meaning, because we will transfer the liberated Transnistria under the control of the legitimate authorities and the armed forces of Moldova;
3. Liquidation of the black hole on the border of Ukraine, through which Russia drives smuggling flows, and earns billions on this smuggling;
4. Capture of large arsenals of Russian ammunition;
5. The release of two brigades that are forced to protect the Ukrainian south from the threat from Transnistria;
6. Transnistria is a source of international terrorism that threatens the whole of Europe, from where Russian special services illegally supply weapons around the world. Today there was another terrorist attack. It is time to eliminate this threat to Southern Europe.

Also Aleksey Arestovich, who is the current adviser to President Zelensky, showed on YouTube that the capture of Transnistria for the Ukrainian army would be as easy as snapping fingers.

Host: Is Ukraine able to capture Transnistria?
Arestovich: We could do it somehow. This is the territory of sovereign Moldova. We cannot even make such statements, only after the request of the Moldovan side.
Host: We are discussing theoretically. How many forces will be needed to capture Tiraspol?
Arestovich: We can handle it if need be. < snaps fingers >
Host: Yes, yes, yes ...

While I get your point of view, Ukraine striking at Transnistria would mean a declaration of war against Moldova, since it's not an independent country. I highly doubt that Ukraine want to look offensive, while it would be complete madness to declare war in another country. Personally, I believe that Russia could potentially create tension inside Transnistria to either blame Ukraine for the explosions or to justify an ambush, in order to save its "oppressed" citizens.

[Ultegra134]

Not much have been heard since the incident, however, I decided to do a little update with what we know so far. Neither Russia nor Ukraine are taking responsibility for the explosions, both are practically blaming each other, accusing each other for wanting to drag Moldova into a wider scale war.
Russian news agency TASS has quoted that according to Krasnoselsky, “The traces of these attacks lead to Ukraine”. I do have my doubts about the latter, but you can never truly know.

Despite the upsetting incidents, Transnistria's authorities are reassuring its citizens that they will not take part in the war, taking necessary security precautions for the following days.

https://balkaninsight.com/2022/04/29/ukraine-war-is-spreading-to-moldovas-breakaway-transnistria-region/

https://www.euronews.com/my-europe/2022/04/27/why-does-transnistria-risk-being-dragged-into-russia-s-war-in-ukraine

[Ultegra134]

New explosions were recorded a few kilometres away from Ukraine's border, in the Transistria region, just a couple of hours ago.  The alleged Ministry of Internal Affairs" of unrecognised Transnistria has confirmed the explosions, which took place in a military unit in Voronkove near an old airport field, conducted by two flying drones. Fortunately, no casualties or injuries were recorded.

Let's quickly summarize again how all this started, in April 22, a Russian army spokesman claimed that the task of Russian troops in the "second phase of the special operation" in Ukraine was to establish "full control over Donbas and southern Ukraine" and reach Transnistria, resulting in a series of terrorist attacks in the region.

NATO believes that further provocations will occur in the unrecognised Transnistria, with the ultimate goal to cause issues to Ukraine.

https://news.yahoo.com/explosions-reported-transnistria-near-border-103112066.html