Cobasna, Transnistria – A drone strike targeted a military installation in the breakaway republic of Transnistria on Sunday, resulting in the destruction of a helicopter and a subsequent fire, according to local officials. Pro-Russian authorities in the area have attributed the strike to Ukraine. Russia has stationed approximately 1,500 troops in Transnistria, under the guise of peacekeepers, to safeguard substantial Soviet-era weapons and ammunition reserves at the military depot in Cobasna. The drone attack occurred in Tiraspol, the capital of the region, with uncertainty surrounding the presence of Russian troops at the site.
Tensions have been escalating between Transnistria’s pro-Russian elements and Moldova’s pro-Western government, prompting officials in Transnistria to seek protection from Moscow. Moldova, a candidate for European Union membership, implemented new customs tariffs on Jan. 1 concerning imports and exports to and from Transnistria, which shares a border with Ukraine. Despite lacking recognition from any United Nations members, including Russia, the region maintains significant ties to Moscow.
In a recent development, members of the Transnistrian congress convened in Tiraspol and appealed to the Russian Duma for support against Moldova’s mounting pressure. The request highlighted the presence of over 220,000 Russian citizens in Transnistria, emphasizing the need for defensive measures. The drone strike coincided with the final day of Russia’s carefully managed three-day presidential elections. Earlier on Sunday, an individual was apprehended for hurling two Molotov cocktails at the Russian Embassy in Chisinau, the capital of Moldova, where election proceedings were underway.