Russian state media issues bizarre warning that this country may be invaded next, but by Ukraine

Just last month, Moldova’s President Maia Sandu revealed that Moscow is plotting to overthrow her country’s government. Now, Russian state media has warned that Moldova will be the next country to see war. But who will start it? Russia and Ukraine are pointing the finger at each other.

Russian media claims Ukraine will invade Moldova

Russian state-controlled news network RT claims war is coming to Eastern Europe, including Moldova and Transnistria. The latter is officially called the Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic, an unrecognised breakaway state internationally recognised as part of Moldova.

Recently, Russian officials have alleged that Kyiv 'is preparing an armed provocation against Transnistria in the near future'. The Russian Defense Ministry said on 23 February via Telegram:

A staged Russian offensive from the territory of Transnistria is supposed to act as a pretext for the invasion. Ukrainian saboteurs participating in the staged invasion will be disguised in the uniform of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation.

The next day, the Russian Foreign Ministry released a statement claiming there was a:

Significant accumulation of personnel and military equipment of Ukrainian units near the Ukrainian-Transnistrian border, the deployment of artillery at firing positions, as well as the unprecedented build-up of UAV flights over Transnistrian territory.

The Russian Foreign Ministry then 'warns the US, NATO member states and their Ukrainian wards against taking another adventurous step' and vowed to 'respond adequately to the provocation of the Kiev regime, if it does occur'.

As reported by RT, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said on 27 February that 'the situation is turbulent and is being provoked externally'.

Read more:Russian commentator makes terrifying threat on state TV about ‘blowing up’ supervolcano in US

Zelenskyy responds that it is Russia that could invade Moldova

Meanwhile, Ukraine’s National Security Secretary Alexey Danilov told the RBC Ukraine news agency in an interview on 3 March that Ukraine may consider assisting Moldova and Transnistria, by military means, if Moldovan President Maia Sandu requests the Kyiv authorities to intervene. According to Russian state-owned news agency Tass, the official added: 'Especially since we are neighbors'.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy pointed out that, unlike Russia, Ukraine values the independence of other countries and recognised that Transnistria is a part of Moldova. As reported by RT, Zelenskyy said:

Russia is provoking us to enter the territory of the Republic of Moldova. But Russia itself can invade from the territory of Transnistria.

Read more:

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Moldova responds to the accusations

Moldova's government has already come out and said it 'do[es] not confirm' the claims made by the Russian Defence Ministry. It said in a statement in February:

We call for calm and for information to be received [by the public] from official and credible sources of the Republic of Moldova.

Our institutions cooperate with foreign partners and in the case of threats to the country, the public will be promptly informed.

Moldovan Prime Minister Dorin Recean also downplayed the threats of escalation by both Russia and Ukraine, Recean said, according to Sputnik:

We sometimes have waves when the perception of risks and threats increases, but this is more part of an information war, a hybrid war. Today, there is no danger of military escalation in Moldova and risks can be prevented by the strong hand of the Kishinev authorities.

Sources used:

Newsweek: 'Russia State Media Warns War is Coming to European Country'

Russian Foreign Ministry: 'Заявление МИД России в связи с подготовкой киевским режимом военной провокации в отношении Приднестровья'

Tass: 'Ukraine can interfere in Transnistrian situation if asked by Chisinau, says official'

The Guardian: 'Moldova dismisses Russian claims of Ukrainian plot to invade breakaway region'