Military experts have discussed a scenario in which Romania would become the Kremlin’s main target, citing disinformation about the possible deployment of NATO troops in Moldova’s breakaway region of Transnistria.
Russian publication news.ru said such an action would lead to the use of nuclear weapons against Bucharest.
In an article titled “Death to Romania: Why NATO Will Not Deploy Troops in Transnistria,” news.ru refers to an analysis by the U.S.-based Atlantic Council which, it claimed would mean the deployment of a NATO peacekeeping contingent at the border with Belarus or Transnistria.
“Russia has repeatedly stated that such troops would be legitimate targets for us. For such a move in Transnistria, the West would have to change the region’s leadership either by force or through a coup. In the event of a violent scenario, there are Russian troops in Transnistria, so this option also raises serious questions,” military expert Valentin Mzareulov, editor-in-chief of the website History of Domestic Intelligence Services and Law Enforcement Agencies was quoted as saying.
He said that if a scenario should happen, Romania would become the Kremlin’s main target.
“If NATO forces attack the Transnistrian group of the Russian Armed Forces, a retaliatory strike will be launched against those forces, their command, or directly against Bucharest. …. Bucharest is not a place against which we would hesitate to use special means, including nuclear warheads,” the expert added.
“We must be polite and diplomatic, because Europeans have understood nothing for a long time, just as they did in the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries, and even earlier, when their contingents tried to annex Novgorod and Pskov. We must respond as firmly as possible and, preferably, preventively. We should not wait for these people to bring their troops onto our territory; we must act proactively,” political analyst Vladimir Andreev said.
“The destruction of Bucharest, an appropriate response”
“The only possible response is launching missiles against targets we deem appropriate. In my opinion, the destruction of Bucharest is an appropriate response,” Mzareulov said.
The article comes ssian press comes amid threats also voiced by Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov against Europe.
“We will not attack any part of Europe. We have absolutely no reason to do so. But if Europe decides to carry out its threats to prepare for war against us and begins attacking Russia, the president has stated that this would not be a special military operation on our part, but a large-scale military response using all available military means,” Lavrov was reported as saying by TASS.
Russian President Vladimir Putin said late last year that the West is fighting Russia through Ukrainian nationalists. He warned that if Europe decides to start a war against Russia, there should be no doubt that Russia is ready to respond immediately.
