Moldovan Prime Minister Dorin Recean expressed concern about Russia’s intentions to deploy 10,000 troops in Transnistria, which borders Ukraine, as well as to establish a pro-Kremlin government in Moldova. He shared this information in an interview with the Financial Times.

Recean emphasized that Russia is actively interfering in the upcoming parliamentary elections scheduled for September, hoping that a new government more loyal to Moscow will allow it to increase its military presence.

“This is a huge attempt to undermine Moldovan democracy… They want to strengthen their military presence in the Transnistrian region.”

– Dorin Recean

According to the prime minister, Russia is using internet propaganda and illegal funding of political parties to interfere in the electoral process. In 2024, Moscow spent about 1% of Moldova’s GDP on influence campaigns.

Recean also noted:

“You can imagine what leverage and pressure 10,000 servicemen would exert on the southwestern part of Ukraine… But also next to Romania, which is a NATO member country.”

– Dorin Recean

The prime minister based his assessment on intelligence data, estimating the possible number of troops at 10,000, stressing that the current presence of Russian forces in Transnistria is “almost pointless.”

He added:

“With a greater military presence in Transnistria, which a pro-Russian government could allow, they could consolidate.”

– Dorin Recean

At present, Russia has a limited number of troops in Transnistria. Due to the lack of direct access to the sea and its location between Ukraine and Moldova’s pro-European government, Moscow does not have the ability to deploy additional forces, according to the Financial Times.

The unrecognized Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic is a quasi-state occupying the Moldovan part of the left bank of the Dniester River and has a small enclave on the right bank. This is where Russia’s first attempt at hybrid warfare took place, and the separatist movement emerged simultaneously with Moldova’s declaration of independence, leading to a war in which about 1,200 people died.