The head of Moldova’s Information and Security Service (SIS) Alexandru Musteata warned on Monday that Russia could attack Moldovan territory in early 2023 depending on where the offensive on Ukraine stands.
«The question is not whether Russia will launch a new offensive in the direction of Moldovan territory, but when it will happen,» Musteata said in statements to the TVR Moldova channel, where he acknowledged that Moscow could try to connect with the Moldovan independence region of Transnistria.
Musteata has stressed that since Transnistria is part of the Moldovan national territory, Russia would be attacking the country. «This is a real and very high risk,» the Moldovan National Security representative lamented.
He also warned that the largest ammunition depot in Europe is located precisely on Transnistrian territory and guarded by Russian soldiers, so Moscow could use it in case of a hypothetical confrontation with Moldova.
In view of the alert created by Musteata’s statements, the SIS itself later came out to clarify that the hypothetical Russian offensive would depend in any case on the situation of hostilities in Ukraine.
The region of Transnistria – whose population is mainly Russian and Ukrainian – has gained prominence during the last few months due to its links with the Russian government and its important geostrategic position.
Ukrainian authorities have even denounced possible Russian incursions into western Ukraine from this territory.
Source: (EUROPA PRESS)