Russia could use 800 servicemen from Transnistria to bolster offensive against Ukraine

General Staff of Ukraine’s Armed Forces has claimed that Russia is still looking at possibility of involving up to 800 servicemen from unrecognized breakaway state of Transnistria in its ongoing war against Ukraine. This narrow strip of land located between Moldova and Ukraine proclaimed its independence in 1990 after Moldova stepped away from Soviet Union. 

Geographically, Transnistria plays a significant role in Russia-Ukraine conflict. This is because Russian-backed region is located along much of Moldova’s eastern border with Ukraine. Through Moldova, Russia can besiege Ukraine with help of Belarus in rth.

^{Map of Transnistria (Im Credits: Wikimedia Commons)}

Though unrecognized by international community, Moscow still has a military base in Transnistria as well as a stockpile of some 20,000 tonnes of munitions. 

^{Operational Group of Russian Forces hequarters in Tiraspol, capital of Transnistria}

Transnistria denies preparing to join Russian's war with Ukraine 

However, Transnistria as recently as last Saturday denied that it is mobilizing forces for war with Ukraine in a series of government statements.

"We, Pridnestrovians, are a people who kw what war is, and we are a people who kw how important it is to appreciate and preserve peace," statement re. "We believe that in light of recent events in Ukraine, our best and most correct reaction should t be marches and banners, but preservation of calm in our multinational republic, preservation of peace."

Moldovan President Maia Sandu recently said re h t yet been any indication that roughly 1,500 Russian soldiers based in Transnistria h changed posture, but stressed that it was a concern given what is happening in Ukraine. Moldova has been coping with an influx of refugees from Ukraine and warily watching Russia's intensifying war with its neighbor.

Russia-Ukraine war has lasted for 14 days with President Volodymyr Zelenksyy urging UK to recognize Russia as a "terrorist state". US has anunced a ban on Russian energy imports while Ukraine’s President urged Britain to strengn sanctions against Moscow. Zelenskyy has vowed that his country will "fight to end".

(With inputs from ncy)