Moldova warns of effort to create 'pretexts' for conflict after explosions in pro-Russia separatist region Transnistria

• Russian media on Monday reported that there were explosions at a security building in Transnistria.
• Transnistria is a pro-Russia separatist region of Moldova, bordering Ukraine.

CHISINAU, Moldova — A purported attack on a building used by security services in the Russian-occupied separatist region of Transnistria is a part of an effort to increase tensions in the region, Moldovan authorities said Monday.

According to Russian state media, a "series of explosions" occurred at the Ministry of State Security in Tiraspol, the self-proclaimed capital of Transnistria, which gained de facto autonomy from Moldova after Russian forces intervened in 1992, ostensibly to protect Russian speakers. About 300,000 people live in the enclave, which borders Ukraine.

In a statement, Moldova's Bureau of Reintegration Policies expressed "concern" about the incident, citing reports that "unidentified people fired shots from grenade launchers at the headquarters of the so-called security structures in the region."

The statement urged calm, arguing that the "objective of the incident" is to "create pretexts of tensioning the security situation in the Transnistrian region."

Last week, a Russian military official, Maj. Gen. Rustam Minnekayev, asserted that Moscow intends to take over southern Ukraine, including the port city of Odesa, which would allow it "another way out to Transnistria." Russia currently has around 1,500 soldiers stationed in the territory.

On Saturday, 48 hours before the attack, Insider witnessed those soldiers stationed at the de facto border between Transnistria and the Republic of Moldova, as well as at points across the separatist region.

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