Moldova raises terror threat to highest level after blasts in pro-Russian breakaway region of Transnistria

The Kremlin says it is concerned by the explosions in the unrecognised Moscow-backed region

A view of the damaged building of the Ministry of State Security, in Tiraspol, the capital of the breakaway region of Transnistria in Moldova, April 25, 2022 (AP)

Moldova has raised its terrorist threat level and the Kremlin voiced serious concerns after two blasts damaged Soviet-era radio masts in the breakaway region of Transnistria where authorities said a military unit was also targeted.

The Moldovan authorities are sensitive to any sign of growing tensions in Transnistria, an unrecognised Moscow-backed sliver of land bordering southwestern Ukraine, especially since Russia invaded Ukraine.

Russia has had troops permanently based in Transnistria since the collapse of the Soviet Union. Kyiv fears the region could be used as a launchpad for new attacks on Ukraine, while there are concerns of the situation leading to a wider conflict across Europe.

Moldova’s president Maia Saudu said the series of attacks were an attempt by factions within the territory to increase tensions.

"From the information we have at this moment, these escalation attempts stem from factions from within the Transdniestrian region who are pro-war forces and interested in destabilising the situation in the region," Ms Saudu told a news conference after Moldova’s Security Council held an urgent meeting.

No residents were hurt in the explosions, but two radio antennae that broadcast Russian radio were knocked out, Transnistria’s interior ministry said.

Separately, Transnistria’s Security Council reported a “terrorist attack” on a military unit near the city of Tiraspol, Russia’s TASS news agency reported.

Several analysts said it was tough to establish whether incidents were a false-flag operation by the Kremlin or genuine acts of sabotage by anti-Russian groups.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters the news was a cause for serious concern and that Moscow was following events closely.

Later on Tuesday, Russia’s deputy foreign minister, Andrey Rudenko, said Moscow “was concerned” over the string of recent explosions in Transnistria, saying Russia “would like to avoid a scenario” in which Transnistria would be dragged into the war.

Meanwhile, Ukraine’s foreign ministry expressed concern about the situation, and condemned what it said were Russian attempts to drag the region into the war.

Transnistria’s unrecognised president’s office ordered the terrorist threat level to be raised to red and said that checkpoints would be set up at the entrances of the region’s towns. All vehicles entering at night would be checked, it said.

File photo: A statue of communist leader Lenin is seen in front of the parliament building in Tiraspol, in Moldova’s self-proclaimed separatist Transdniestria, November 3, 2021 (REUTERS)

The incidents followed a number of blasts that local television reported on Monday hit Transnistria’s ministry of state security in the regional capital, Tiraspol. Local officials said the building had been fired on by unknown assailants with grenade launchers.

On Monday, the Moldovan government said the Tiraspol blasts were aimed at creating tensions in a region it had no control of.

Last week, a senior Russian military official said the second phase of what Russia calls its “special military operation” included a plan to take full control of southern Ukraine and improve its access to Transnistria.

Reuters