Impossible for Russia to land paratroopers in Transnistria, Ukraine says
Natalia Humeniuk (Photo:Screenshot of the only telethon/Youtube)
Russia isn't able to airlift additional troops to Moldova’s Transnistria, where Moscow illegally maintains a military presence, Ukraine’s Operational Command South spokesperson Natalia Humeniuk told Ukrainian TV broadcasters on Feb. 27.
"Russian troops landing in Transnistria isn't possible by definition as they need to cross either NATO or Ukrainian airspace; no one would allow it," Humeniuk said.
She added that occupying Russian troops in Transnistria, which Moscow promised to withdraw back in 1999, are "deeply surprised with the narrative about their power spread by Russian propaganda."
She said a strong response is waiting for the Russians if they try to advance towards Moldova.
On Feb. 20 Zelenskyy asserted that Moscow was considering a coup d'état in Moldova by seizing an airfield in the capital of Chisinau and then transferring its troops there. Later, Moldovan PM Dorin Recean confirmed the report. He also called for Transnistria’s demilitarization and expulsion of Russian troops from the region.
The head of Moldova's Security Service, Alexandru Musteata, said Russia might launch an offensive against Moldova early in 2023. The Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs also said that the Kremlin "has plans on" Poland, Baltic countries, and Moldova, but won't be able to realize them soon.
Moldova was the first country where Russia imposed a separatist movement after the collapse of the Soviet Union. A bloody conflict lasted for several months in 1992, then it was frozen with about 2,000 of Russian troops still located in Transnistria.
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