Russia doubles down on claims that Kyiv is preparing to attack Transnistria

Less than 24 hours after claiming Ukraine is preparing to carry out a false-flag attack in Transnistria, Russia’s Defense Ministry said on Thursday evening that it had detected a “significant build-up” of Ukrainian troops and military vehicles near the “Ukrainian-Transnistrian border.”

The operation that Moscow accused Ukraine of planning “poses a direct threat to the Russian peacekeeping force” in Transnistria, the Russian agency reported, vowing that Russia’s military will “respond appropriately” to the attack.

In response to Russia’s earlier claims that Ukraine is planning to attack Transnistria and frame Russia, the Moldovan authorities released a statement saying they “do not confirm” Russia’s reports and called on citizens to “refer to information from official or verified sources.”