Russia is ready to use Transnistria as a bridgehead to transfer soldiers onto Ukrainian territory or the rest of Moldova, according to Ukraine’s deputy defense minister.

Transnistria as a bridgehead

Local authorities in the Moscow-backed breakaway area reported a number of claimed attacks in recent days, prompting Hanna Malyar’s comments.

Russia claims to be keeping a close eye on the situation in Transnistria. RIA Novosti news agency this week told the Russian foreign ministry that Moscow wants to avoid having to intervene there.