The unsubstantiated allegations mirror tactics used before Russia's 2014 Crimea annexation, creating manufactured pretexts for potential invasion from Moldova's region occupied by Russian forces.
Authorities say the suspects trained in Serbia on firearms and crowd-control tactics and were allegedly instructed by Russian operatives ahead of parliamentary elections.
Ukraine's cutoff of Russian gas has collapsed Transnistria's economy and sparked local doubts about Russian alignment, threatening to eliminate Moscow's only viable endpoint for westward expansion.
The pro-Russian presidential candidate Simion called past assistance a betrayal of national interests and vowed to prioritize domestic needs if elected.
If Russia succeeds in Moldova's September parliamentary elections, the country could shift overnight from a friendly neighbor of Ukraine to a Russian-controlled threat, she says.
Ukraine and Moldova’s presidents discussed aiding Transnistria’s power plant with coal and expertise to potentially ease energy costs in Moldova and reduce Russian gas dependence.
Ukraine's 2022 ban on negotiations with Putin thwarted multiple Russian attempts to undermine Ukrainian sovereignty through shadow diplomatic channels and internal separatist movements.
While Trump orders 90-day review of US foreign assistance, Zelenskyy confirms Ukraine's military aid remains intact but humanitarian programs face temporary restrictions.