Since the Russian full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, fears that neighbouring Moldova would be next in Moscow’s bid to regain control over the former Soviet republics has grown.

Chișinău

Russian forces have invaded Ukraine from land, air and sea with strikes causing widespread damage. Global leaders have condemned the move and imposed sanctions.

Ukraine Invasion

Moldova has experienced growing apprehensions regarding its potential vulnerability in the face of Russian military ambitions, especially following the significant uptick in aggression in the region. These fears have been particularly pronounced since the Russian full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, which has raised alarm among Moldova's populace and leadership. The concern is that Moldova, a former Soviet republic like Ukraine, might become the next target in Moscow’s broader strategy to reassert its influence over the erstwhile Soviet territories. 

The geopolitical tensions in Eastern Europe and the aggressive posture of Russia towards its neighbors have significantly contributed to these fears within Moldova. The situation underscores a broader narrative of unease among countries that were once part of the Soviet Union, regarding Russia's revisionist tendencies and its willingness to use military force to achieve its objectives.



Moldova fears it's next in Russia's war plans

Come on, Jorge, come and help. You can do it. Valentina and Jorge are farmers. Right now they can only access about one hectare of their land. The rest of it is located in the separatist region of Transnistria, only a stone's throw from the village of Kocheri. They've been cut off from it since January, when the self-proclaimed authorities in Transnistria imposed a ban on Moldovan farmers. Since 2006, it's now the third or fourth time that this is happening. It happened before that we didn't have access to our land and couldn't work it for two or three years. Imagine the difficulty of starting from scratch again. Jorge's and Valentina's children left Moldova years ago. They are on their own as they try to prepare the land for a fall harvest. But they don't know how they will do it. There's no hope. We're old now. All our children left. Why do you think they left? Because of the situation here. That situation began more than three decades ago. Moldovan forces fought pro-Russian separatists in the early 1990s. Moscow has Russian troops stationed in Transnistria ever since, a de facto state. Not recognised internationally, but supported by Russia. Moldovans like Yuri and his comrade Valerio fought during that war. Now they are worried that things will get worse again. For the population here, freedom of movement is prohibited, with the exception of the ferry. Moving goods across this region is forbidden as well, and so is freedom of expression. This ferry is crucial. It lets Moldovans get around Transnistrian border controls. The Dniester river divides Moldova from the breakaway region, except for a few Moldovan enclaves. Yuri and Valerio say it's only a question of time for Russia to use Transnistria to attack Moldova. People are concerned. From Putin you can expect anything. Today he can say one thing, tomorrow he can do another. We don't have permission to film in the separatist-controlled Transnistrian region. Russian soldiers who are officially on a peacekeeping mission keep a watch. But there are pro-Russian voices in Moldovan-controlled enclaves too. Some here openly endorse Putin. He will protect us, maybe increase our pensions, because we're getting little money here. We want to be with Russia. They help us. The Moldovan government, however, wants to steer Moldova towards the EU. They say Russia has been trying to destabilize Moldova. And they say the newly introduced customs for goods from Transnistria is necessary. I'm not denying the fact that the economic situation in the Transnistrian region is bad. But Moldova is not the one to be blamed for that. It is not because of Ukraine. It's bad due to the consequences of Russia's aggression against Ukraine. Georgi and Valentina say there is no real stability for them as long as the conflict with the separatists persists. But no one here knows what a solution might look like for the people on both sides of the Dniester river, or what plans Moscow has for the region.

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State of Rio Grande do Sul

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Tel Aviv-Yafo

Israel-Gaza War

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Ankara

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Paris

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Zaporizhzhia

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Council of the City of Sydney

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The Hague

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Ukraine Invasion