Russia accuses Ukraine of planning to invade Moldovan region
Russia has accused Ukraine of planning to invade Moldova’s breakaway region of Transnistria, which borders Ukraine, Russian state news agency TASS reported on Thursday, citing the Defence Ministry.
According to the report, the ministry said Kyiv was planning to carry out an armed operation “under a false flag” in Transnistria in the near future.
The ministry added that Ukrainian soldiers and the Ukrainian Azov regiment were looking to stage an invasion by allegedly Russian troops and use it as a pretext for the invasion without providing evidence of such plans.
It said Moscow was ready to respond to any change on the border between Ukraine and Transnistria.
Russia, which invaded neighbouring Ukraine on February 24, 2022, still has great influence in Moldova, a former member of the Soviet Union, especially in Transnistria.
Russian soldiers have been stationed there since the 1990s.
Last December, Moldova’s secret service accused Russia of planning to invade the tiny country wedged between Ukraine and Romania, possibly sometime between January and April.
Most recently, Moldova’s pro-European President Maia Sandu also warned of possible coup attempts in view of Russia’s war on Ukraine.
International observers also accuse Russia of trying to destabilise the situation in the impoverished country, which aspires to join the European Union.
In August 2022, the Russian Supreme Court declared the Ukrainian Azov regiment, which defended the port city of Mariupol that fell to Russian troops in mid-May, a “terrorist organisation.”
Moscow has repeatedly used the nationalist regiment to justify its invasion of Ukraine and the claim that Ukraine has to be “liberated” of what Russia said was a fascist regime.
On the other hand, international experts agree that nationalists and right-wing extremists make up only a fraction of Ukrainian fighters.
(dpa/NAN)
We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.
More from Peoples Gazette
Agriculture
FG tasks ECOWAS on leveraging financing strategies for agroecology
The federal government has urged stakeholders in the agriculture and finance sectors in the West Africa region to leverage financing strategies to enhance agroecology practices
Politics
Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku
“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”
Africa
ECOWAS sub-region remains Africa’s most stable amid existential threat: Commissioner
ECOWAS says the sub-region is the most stable among Africa’s regional economic communities, despite the existential threat confronting it.
Rights
My husband has turned me to punching bag, seven-month-old pregnant woman cries out
“He beats me and threatens to harm me. He has failed in his duties as a father and husband,” the pregnant wife said.
States
Youth leader organises football tournament to discourage drug abuse
A youth leader has organised a football tournament to encourage youths to engage in productive activities and discourage them from drug abuse and other social vices.
Rights
How Kaduna communities fight erosion with grassroots initiatives
“As a government, we have promised that the common man will not be short changed in any manner,’’ Governor Uba Sani said.
Health
Oncologist urges early cancer alarm, detection
Temitope Olatunji, an oncologist, has advised Nigerians to raise alarm over any strange symptoms in their body to reduce sudden deaths arising from cancer.
Port Harcourt
Police probe gunmen attack on Rivers traditional ruler, residents
The police command in Rivers has commenced an investigation into a shooting and violent attack on the traditional ruler of Finima Community in Bonny council area.
