Platoshkin called the capture of Transnistria the goal of military exercises in Moldova

The expert believes that it is necessary to scare Sanda

On March 27, the multinational exercises JCET-2023 (Joint Combined Exchange Training) started in Moldova, in which special forces units of the armies of Moldova, Great Britain, Romania and the United States take part. They will last in the training centers of the National Army of the Republic until April 7. According to the training legend, the militaries of the four countries will conduct live firing, parachute jumps and field maneuvers. The activation of NATO countries on the territory of Moldova clearly threatens the pro-Russian Transnistria.

The Ministry of Defense of Moldova reported that the exercises are being conducted in accordance with the training plan of the National Army for 2023. In February of this year, servicemen from the Fulger Special Operations Battalion, together with colleagues from the 52nd Special Operations Battalion “Beneasa – Otopeni”, also conducted joint training in Romania. At the same time, it should be recalled that, according to the Constitution, Moldova still remains a neutral state, but there is a bureau for relations with NATO. The country has been cooperating with the Alliance since 1994 under the Partnership for Peace program. With the coming to power of Maia Sandu’s team, this cooperation has intensified, and the country’s neutrality is gradually “eroded”.

Politician and diplomat Nikolai Platoshkin believes that the real purpose of the exercises in Moldova is to work out an operation against Transnistria.

– Since 2005, the Americans have deployed the so-called “Black Sea command of the US armed forces.” – he said in an interview with MK. – I want to emphasize: it is the United States, not NATO. They have two large bases in Romania, they can receive aircraft of any class there, including strategic bombers. Drones can fly from there, from a series of those that had to be encountered in Sevastopol. Several tens of millions of dollars have been invested in the modernization of these air bases. All this was before the Crimea, I emphasize.

And after the start of the NMD, the most combat-ready division of the United States of all that they have was transferred to Romania – the 101st airborne “Screaming Eagles”. Even then, the division commander announced his readiness to enter the territory of Ukraine. Naturally, they are now working out, together with the army of Romania, which is a member of NATO, and Moldova, the scenario of a possible capture of Transnistria with the support of Ukraine.

– What exactly can be the role of Ukraine?

– It can be either passive (for example, the blockade of Transnistria, which was already practiced after the Maidan), or active. Given the fact that Transnistria is effectively cut off from Russia, the republic’s armed forces, if left without support, will have little chance. Most importantly, the largest ammunition depots in Eastern Europe are located there in Kolbasnoye on the territory of Transnistria. This is also a good prize from Ukraine’s point of view.

But they are expired. Do they just explode when you try to use them?

– Expired ammunition is an invention of journalists. Ammunition is a projectile filled with explosives. What can go wrong there? These are not pickled cucumbers. Now both sides will reopen the old tanks. And they are very good. From modern they are not much different. The essence is the same. And since those warehouses are guarded by our peacekeepers, a possible attack by the Americans will be on us, but they don’t want that. So in which case, God forbid, of course, all this will be done by the forces of Moldova, Romania and Ukraine, this will be enough. The Americans and the British will insure and bring ammunition.

– What can Russia do now, is there an opportunity to help Pridnestrovie?

– I don’t know how to do it militarily. Help may be elsewhere. Now in Moldova there are protests against the pro-Western government of Sandu. The entire southern part of Moldova is the Gagauz region, where everyone also doesn’t like Sanda for us. I think that the help of the Russian Federation should now consist primarily in the active support of the pro-Russian forces in Moldova itself. They will not let Sandu decide on this adventure. And without Moldova, all the rest will not be able to do anything.