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The flags of Russia (r) and the breakaway region of Transnistria: referendum already planned
Photo: Artem Kulekin / SNA / IMAGO
The situation in Transnistria has been tense for years.
Russia supports the separatist region of the Republic of Moldova, and Russian troops are also stationed there.
Moscow repeatedly provokes escalations in the Republic of Moldova, and with its border location with Ukraine, Transnistria is also in the immediate vicinity of war.
Now, according to the renowned Institute for the Study of War, the breakaway Moldovan region could call for a referendum on the annexation of Transnistria to Russia.
This was discussed at a recently announced congress of representatives.
The referendum is already planned for February 28th.
According to the institute's report, the pretext for such a call could be the alleged need to protect Russian citizens and "compatriots" in Transnistria from threats from the mother republic of Moldova or even NATO.
Annexation as an extreme scenario
The Institute for the Study of War even describes a possible extreme scenario of an annexation of Transnistria by Russia.
Accordingly, Russian President Vladimir Putin could announce the annexation in his speech to the Russian Federal Assembly scheduled for February 29th.
However, the experts themselves consider this to be unlikely.
It is more likely that Putin will welcome the measures taken by the Transnistrian Congress of Deputies and present his observations on the situation.
The self-proclaimed Republic of Transnistria is a narrow strip of land on the border with Ukraine that has broken away from Moldova since 1990. It has its own government and administration and has hosted Russian troops since 1992.
Ukrainians, Russians and Moldovans live in the region, which still belongs to Moldova under international law.
There is a pro-European government in Moldova itself.
The former Soviet republic is worried about Russian destabilization.
President Maia Sandu has repeatedly accused Russia of planning a coup.
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