Support The Moscow Times!

Russian Troops Hold Drills in Moldova's Separatist Region

Russian troops have conducted military exercises in Moldova's pro-Russia separatist region.

Russian news agencies on Thursday quoted an army representative saying that 400 troops and 30 pieces of weaponry were involved in drills in Transdnestr, a narrow strip of land squeezed between Moldova and Ukraine.

Predominantly ethnic Russian Transdnestr broke away from Moldova in 1990 over fears that Moldova planned to reunite with Romania. Russian troops have been stationed in Transdnestr since a 1992 war that killed more than 1,500 people.

Army spokesman Oleg Kochetkov said that troops used 100,000 rounds of ammunition during the drills that involved armored personnel vehicles and grenade launchers.

Moldova's fears of Russian presence in Transdnestr intensified after Russia annexed Ukraine's Crimea last year and supported a separatist movement in eastern Ukraine.

… we have a small favor to ask.

As you may have heard, The Moscow Times, an independent news source for over 30 years, has been unjustly branded as a "foreign agent" by the Russian government. This blatant attempt to silence our voice is a direct assault on the integrity of journalism and the values we hold dear.

We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. Our commitment to providing accurate and unbiased reporting on Russia remains unshaken. But we need your help to continue our critical mission.

Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just 2. It's quick to set up, and you can be confident that you're making a significant impact every month by supporting open, independent journalism. Thank you.

Continue

Read more