Budanov said this in an interview with the YouTube channel Malenkaya Strana. He confirmed that Ukraine is strengthening its military presence along the border with the Moldova’s Transnistria and called that response “a standard military approach.”
“There is intelligence showing Russia has not abandoned plans to step up operations in Transnistria,” the former spy chief said.
“I would call it a ‘war of fears.’ The Russians are worried about their contingent and are trying to take steps to reinforce it and be ready to respond if anything happens.”
He added that Kyiv is watching the situation and is prepared to respond. “Ukraine sees and knows about these plans. We must respond. This is a standard military approach,” Budanov said.
Asked whether Ukraine could take control of Transnistria
“without a single shot,” as some have suggested, Budanov said, “Personally, I
don’t believe it can be done without a single shot. If the question is whether
we can do it, of course we can — with gunfire, but we can.” He added it is
premature to discuss the conditions under which such a scenario might occur.