Moldovan authorities took a bold step and locked Russian troops in Transnistria. What are the risks?
Moldovan authorities have trapped Russian military personnel in Transnistria.
Chisinau has declared six senior Russian officers personae non gratae, meaning undesirable. They are currently in Transnistria, which Moldova does not officially recognize and considers part of its territory.
For the Russian commanders, this status means they are trapped in a single territory. They can no longer travel through Moldova, and even less so through Ukraine on the other side.
These restrictions also affect their families. For example, they have now lost access to medical care in Moldova and will be unable to obtain documents.
This is all part of the Moldovan authorities' strategy to expel the Russian army from Transnistria and peacefully reclaim their territories.