Russia has developed clear plans for the invasion of Moldova, the sources of the British publication The Times in Ukrainian intelligence say. It is reported by Ukrainian Pravda. At the same time, the authors of The Times could not confirm this data in independent sources.
“We believe that the Kremlin has already decided to attack Moldova. What the events in Moldova will lead to us will be decisive for us. If the Russians manage to seize control of the country, then we (Ukraine) will become more vulnerable from a military point of view – This will be a threat to the integrity of Ukraine. If Russia recognizes the independence of Transnistria, then it will be a direct threat and violation of the territorial integrity of Moldova. It will be a repetition of the “Donbass scenario.” They will continue to supply a large amount of weapons, and then want to join it to the composition of Russia, ” – reported a source in Ukrainian intelligence.
The interlocutors of the publication claim that Russian intelligence agencies are considering inflating and rebellions in Moldova. They suggest that the Russian military plan to plant air assault on the IL-76 transport aircraft and helicopters in Transnistria. Supposedly aircraft and helicopters will fly from the airfield in the Crimea.
At the same time, the authors of the publication note that these statements are contrary to the analysis of Western intelligence agencies, that Russians have no sufficient opportunities to safely fly over the air defense of Ukrainians in the Odessa region. In addition, to supply ammunition and strengthening units, Russians need to create a land corridor from the captured Kherson through the Nikolaev and Odessa regions, subjected to attacks by Ukrainian forces.
According to military analysts by Jack Waging and Nika Reynolds from the Royal United Institute of Defense Studies, such an operation of Russians will have three goals: to delay part of the Ukrainian troops to the Southwestern Front; stop the pro -European course of the current government in Moldova; Scare the West that Ukraine support with weapons and finances can lead to further destabilization in the region, in particular, in the Balkans.