State of emergency in the Republic of Moldova – The Russian army announces “exercises” in Transnistria
The Russian army of the “exercises” program in Transnistria, the pro-Russian separatist region of the Republic of Moldova, reports dpa.
The Western Military District made the announcement on Thursday, as Russian forces attacked Ukraine on land and in the air.
According to the statement, a special training area has been set up to stop enemy vehicles.
It is unclear whether the maneuvers have already been completed.
The Russian army has been in Transnistria since the early 1990s. The region borders Ukraine and is led by pro-Russian separatists.
Russia has recently carried out large-scale military maneuvers in Belarus.
Also on Thursday, the Government of the Republic of Moldova asked the Parliament to declare a state of emergency after the events in Ukraine, the head of state, Maia Sandu, announced after a meeting of the Supreme Security Council, MOLDPRES reports.
The President of the Republic of Moldova condemned Russia’s actions and called on Moldovan citizens living in Ukraine to return home.
Maia Sandu said that several Ukrainian flights had landed at the Chisinau airport on Thursday and mentioned that the authorities would take care of them. Chisinau is ready to receive tens of thousands of refugees, and state institutions are on high alert, the head of state added.