Russia ramps up activity in Transnistria to divert Ukrainian resources, intelligence says
The Russian Federation is urgently increasing its activity in the Transnistrian region of the Republic of Moldova—the so-called “Transnistrian Moldovan Republic”—to force Ukraine to redirect some of its resources toward the growing threat from the Russian enclave.
This was reported by sources in Ukrainian military intelligence.
According to the intelligence, mobilization measures have been intensified in the so-called “PMR”: reservists are being called up to the quasi-state’s military formations, and weapons are being taken out of storage.
Drone production has already been deployed in Transnistria, and training centers for drone operators have been established.
Kremlin actions are aimed at strengthening the Russian presence in the region, which Moscow uses to destabilize Moldova and create an additional point of tension on the border with southern Ukraine. Intelligence estimates that the risk of sabotage groups entering Ukrainian territory is increasing.
To implement these plans, Moscow is sending intelligence agents to Transnistria to amplify crises, conduct information operations, provocations, and sabotage activities.
After gas supplies from Gazprom were cut off in early 2025, the region—critically dependent on Russian gas—was saved from an energy collapse thanks to Moldovan government actions, with deliveries to the so-called “PMR” provided by Moldovagaz.
The Kremlin’s heightened focus on Transnistria now indicates the start of a new hybrid operation linked to the so-called “PMR presidential elections” in 2026.
Russia’s operation aims to rebind Tiraspol to free Russian gas, improve the image of pro-Russian regional leaders, and covertly increase the Russian military contingent in Transnistria to later use the amassed forces for potential escalation.
As a reminder, operators of the 8th Regiment of Ukrainian Special Operations Forces destroyed a group of Russian soldiers during a combat mission in the forested area of Donetsk.
Additionally, SOF units destroyed enemy warehouses in Donetsk and Luhansk.
