Moldova’s breakaway region of Transnistria said its authorities are asking Russia to increase the number of peacekeepers in the region.
“Peacekeepers are the main security factor on the (banks of the) Dniester,” and they pose „the main obstacle” against Ukraine and Moldova, the head of the breakaway region’s representative office in Moscow Leonid Manakov told Russia’s RIA news agency in an interview.
„As long as Russia’s peacekeeping mission continues, Moldova is shackled in any military plans and preparations against Transnistria,” he added.
Manakov claimed that Russia reduced the size of its peacekeeping contingent from six to two motorized rifle battalions, and that the current number of Russian peacekeepers numbers 450.
He also claimed that 3,100 personnel are supposed to be present according to the staff of the Joint Control Commission, the joint force in the region comprising Russian, Moldovan, and Transnistrian peacekeepers, making it legally possible to increase the Russian contingent.
„There is such an option, and it is justified from the point of view of worsening security risks, including the terrorist threat,” Manakov said.
Transnistria is an internationally unrecognized breakaway region in east Moldova. It has been controlled by pro-Russian separatists since a two-year conflict in 1990-1992.
A ceasefire agreement was signed in July 1992 between Chisinau and Moscow following the conflict and a peacekeeping force made up of Russian, Moldovan, and Transnistrian forces was installed in the region to observe the ceasefire and other security arrangements.
Russia working to overthrow Moldovan government, but no immediate military threat-White House
