Eng
Esp

Copyright © 2024 Euromaidanpress.com

The work of Euromaidan Press is supported by the International Renaissance Foundation

When referencing our materials, please include an active hyperlink to the Euromaidan Press material and a maximum 500-character extract of the story. To reprint anything longer, written permission must be acquired from [email protected].

Privacy and Cookie Policies.

Drone attack destroyed Russian helicopter in Moldova’s Transnistria (photos, video)

Initial reports indicate a drone attack targeted a Russian military unit in Transnistria, Moldova, resulting in the destruction of a Russian Mi-8 helicopter.
byYuri Zoria
17/03/2024
2 minute read
Wreckage of a Russian Mi-8 helicopter in Moldova’s Transnistria, allegedly destroyed in a drone attack on 17 March 2024. Photo: Pervy Pridnestrovsky
Drone attack destroyed Russian helicopter in Moldova’s Transnistria (photos, video)

Moldova’s Russian-run Transnistria has reported a drone attack on one of its military units located in the regional capital city of Tiraspol. According to initial reports, the attack resulted in a fire breaking out within the military facility, causing significant damage to a Russian-made Mi-8 military helicopter, while photos show it completely destroyed.

The regions of Gagauzia and Transnistria in Moldova are often seen as potential Russian “Trojan horses” due to their pro-Russian sentiments and Moscow’s influence. Gagauzia is an autonomous republic, while Transnistria is an unrecognized self-proclaimed state with Russian troops deployed on its territory. Moldova has repeatedly requested the withdrawal of these troops, most recently in 2021. As of 2006, up to 1,500 Russian troops were stationed in Transnistria, including peacekeeping and security battalions, a helicopter detachment, and administrative units.

The incident was first reported by the Transnistrian “state-run” TV channel “Pervy Pridnestrovsky,” which disseminated photographs from the scene:

“It is preliminarily determined that the explosion was the result of a kamikaze drone attack, which was recorded flying from the Clover Bridge. There were no casualties. Law enforcement agencies are working. A criminal case has been opened,” the TV channel wrote on its Telegram channel.

Russia’s media outlet RIA Novosti, citing the so-called Ministry of State Security of the Transnistrian Moldovan Republic (PMR), reported the same as the Pervyi Pridnestrovsky – that a military unit in Transnistria was attacked by a kamikaze drone, there was an explosion and fire, with no casualties.

Later a CCTV video emerged on multiple Telegram channels, allegedly showing the attack:

Earlier, the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) warned that Russia could intensify hybrid operations to destabilize Moldova.

Update:

Moldova: no confirmation of an attack on Transnistrian region

Following the incident, Moldova’s Reintegration Bureau commented on reports of a drone explosion in a military unit in Tiraspol., saying that it did not confirm the attack, calling it “an attempt to provoke fear and panic in the region,” according to NewsMaker.

The bureau also noted that it had contacted other agencies and studied photos and videos from the scene of the incident in Tiraspol.

“After studying the videos and exchanging information, we report that this incident is an attempt to provoke fear and panic in the region. The military equipment shown in the footage has not been in operation for several years,” Moldova’s Reintegration Bureau said.

The Bureau noted that the Moldovan authorities in contact with the Ukrainian side do not confirm any attack on the Transnistrian region.

Ukraine: it’s a Russian provocation

A representative of the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine, Andrii Yusov, said in a commentary to Suspilne that the drone attack on a military unit in Transnistria was a “Russian provocation.”

Read also:

You could close this page. Or you could join our community and help us produce more materials like this.  We keep our reporting open and accessible to everyone because we believe in the power of free information. This is why our small, cost-effective team depends on the support of readers like you to bring deliver timely news, quality analysis, and on-the-ground reports about Russia's war against Ukraine and Ukraine's struggle to build a democratic society. A little bit goes a long way: for as little as the cost of one cup of coffee a month, you can help build bridges between Ukraine and the rest of the world, plus become a co-creator and vote for topics we should cover next. Become a patron or see other ways to support. Become a Patron!

To suggest a correction or clarification, write to us here

You can also highlight the text and press Ctrl + Enter

Please leave your suggestions or corrections here


    Euromaidan Press

    We are an independent media outlet that relies solely on advertising revenue to sustain itself. We do not endorse or promote any products or services for financial gain. Therefore, we kindly ask for your support by disabling your ad blocker. Your assistance helps us continue providing quality content. Thank you!