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.
A Message from The Moscow Times:
Dear readers,
We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent."
These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.
We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.
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 every contribution makes a significant impact.
By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.
Remind me later.
