Transnistrian Authorities Ask Russia to Increase Number of Peacekeepers

The authorities of Transnistria have requested Russia to increase the number of peacekeepers in the unrecognized Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic, stated Leonid Manakov, head of the Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic's office in Russia, as reported by RIA Novosti.

“Pridnestrovie has repeatedly mediated the increase of Russian peacekeepers, including by recruiting military personnel from Russian citizens permanently residing in Pridnestrovie,” the diplomat said.

According to him, this is justified considering the rise in security risks in the event of provocations and terrorist threats.

He reminded that in 1995, Russia reduced its peacekeeping contingent to two motorized rifle battalions. Currently, Manakov clarified, the number of peacekeepers in the territory of the Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic does not exceed 450, while according to documents, it should be 3,100.

Joint peacekeeping forces of Russia, Transnistria, and Moldova operate in the Transnistrian conflict zone, with ten military observers from Ukraine also working there. Peacekeepers serve in 15 fixed positions and checkpoints located in key areas of the security zone.