Tiraspol, Transnistria – Pro-Russian separatist officials in the breakaway region of Transnistria blamed a recent explosion at a military base on a drone likely launched from Ukraine. The incident raised tensions in the primarily Russian-speaking region that has sought support from Moscow since breaking away from Moldova following the collapse of the Soviet Union.
According to separatist authorities, a fire broke out at the military site in Tiraspol after an explosion caused by a kamikaze drone attack. They alleged that the drone was launched from the Odesa region of Ukraine. Fortunately, no casualties were reported, prompting the officials to launch a criminal investigation into the incident.
In response, Kyiv accused Russia of orchestrating the attack in Transnistria. The Ukrainian government asserted that Moscow carried out a provocation with a kamikaze drone targeting the military base. They denounced Russian actions as attempts to manipulate information and provoke aggression in the region.
Grainy footage shared by separatist authorities depicted a projectile striking a military helicopter at an airbase surrounded by fields. This display of military aggression added to the ongoing tensions between Ukraine and Russia, with Transnistria caught in the middle of the geopolitical dispute.
Last month, Transnistria appealed to Russia for “protection,” suggesting a growing concern about the territory becoming a potential flashpoint in the conflict between Moscow and Kyiv. The region’s history of seeking integration with Russia through a 2006 referendum further complicates the diplomatic and security challenges faced by all parties involved in the situation.