Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Galuzin said Monday that Moscow would view any armed provocation by Ukraine or Moldova against Transnistria as an attack on Russia and would use all available means to protect Russian citizens in the breakaway region.
In an interview with state news agency TASS, Galuzin said Moscow currently considers the risk of direct armed action against Transnistria to be low, although he warned that such a possibility could not be completely excluded.
He said Russia would regard any such actions as an attack under international law and would respond “decisively and promptly.”
Galuzin said Moscow would use all available means to protect Russian citizens, Russian peacekeepers and personnel from the Operational Group of Russian Forces stationed in Transnistria. He added that Russia was prepared for any possible development.
Transnistria is a breakaway region of Moldova bordering Ukraine where Russia maintains peacekeepers and personnel from its Operational Group of Russian Forces.
The warning comes amid growing tensions between Moscow and Chisinau. Moldova has accused Russia of violating its sovereignty following recent drone incidents, while Russia has repeatedly criticized what it describes as increasingly anti-Russian policies by the Moldovan government.
On Sunday, Moldovan police said a drone fell and exploded in the village of Crocmaz in Stefan Voda district near the Ukrainian border. No injuries were reported. Moldovan authorities described the incident as a violation of the country’s sovereignty and recalled their ambassador in Moscow for consultations.
Galuzin said Moscow would respond to what it considers “hostile and provocative” actions by Chisinau against Russian diplomats and officials.
He said such measures would continue to receive appropriate responses based on the principle of reciprocity.
According to Galuzin, Moldova has adopted increasingly hostile measures toward Russian diplomats and officials since what he described as the rise of “pro-Western, anti-Russian forces” in 2020 and 2021.
He cited restrictions on the number of employees at the Russian Embassy, the expulsion of Russian diplomats and measures affecting Russian diplomatic couriers and officials entering Moldova.
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