Russia is urgently stepping up its work in the Transnistrian region of Moldova to divert Ukraine’s resources toward the growing threat from this russian enclave. A source in the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine told Ukrinform this.
In particular, mobilization measures have been intensified in the territory of the so-called PMR — reservists are being called up to the quasi-state’s military formations, and weapons are being de-mothballed in storage facilities. Transnistria has also launched UAV production and drone operator training centers.
It is noted that the active measures implemented by the kremlin aim to strengthen russian presence in Transnistria, which moscow uses to destabilize the situation in Moldova and create a point of tension on the border with Ukraine’s southern regions — increasing the risk of sabotage groups infiltrating Ukrainian territory.
To carry out its plans, moscow is deploying intelligence operatives to Transnistria, tasked with intensifying crisis phenomena, sowing chaos through information operations, staging provocations, and conducting sabotage activities.
After Gazprom halted supplies in early 2025, gas-dependent Transnistria was saved from collapse by Moldovan authorities — the critically important energy resource is being sold to the so-called PMR by Moldovagaz.
The current focus of the kremlin on Transnistria marks the beginning of russia’s hybrid operation tied to the so-called “PMR presidential elections” in 2026. The operation aims, among other things, to once again hook Tiraspol on free russian gas, boost the image of pro-russian leaders, and covertly expand the russian military contingent in Transnistria so that, at the moment the kremlin finds convenient, all accumulated forces and resources are ready for military escalation, Main Intelligence Directorate noted.