Moscow wants to deploy the Armed Forces near the border with Ukraine: which region is under threat now
4 June 16:07
Moldova warns: the Kremlin is intensifying military activity in Transnistria, an unrecognized region that borders southern Ukraine and Romania. This is reported by "Komersant Ukrainian" with reference to the FT material.
The media quoted Moldovan Prime Minister Dorin Recean as saying that Russia is seeking to increase the number of military personnel in the region to 10,000, six times the current contingent.
As of today, there are about 1,500 military personnel stationed in Transnistria. They are mostly locals with Moldovan passports who are formally part of the so-called “Operational Group of Russian Troops.” Their official task is to guard the Soviet ammunition depots in Kolbasnaya. But Recean warns:
Moscow is using this contingent as a tool of hybrid influence, combining military presence with political manipulation.
Threat to Ukraine and NATO
The potential build-up of Russian forces in Transnistria is alarming not only in Chisinau, but also in Kiev and Brussels.
By the way, back in 2022, the Ukrainian side reported that it had recorded the activation of disinformation campaigns and intelligence in the Transnistrian direction. At that time, according to a representative of the Odessa regional state administration, Serhiy Bratchuk, Russia planned to use the region as a springboard for armed provocations or sabotage in order to divert the attention of the Ukrainian military from the main front lines.
The situation is of particular concern in neighboring Romania, which is a NATO member. The increased Russian military presence on the border with the Alliance creates a new configuration of risks for Europe’s southeastern flank.
The Kremlin is pressuring Moldova politically
Parallel to its military intentions, Moscow is actively interfering in Moldova’s internal affairs. According to Prime Minister Recean, the Kremlin spent an amount equivalent to 1% of the country’s GDP in 2024 on propaganda, political corruption and buying up loyal political structures. In previous elections, according to Moldovan intelligence services, at least 130,000 voters received indirect funding from Russian sources.
They also found attempts to export large sums of cash – more than $1.2 million was seized from citizens returning from the Russian Federation in the last year alone.
Rebuilding military infrastructure
An additional signal of Moscow’s preparation for escalation was information about plans to restore the military airfield in Tiraspol. Although these efforts have so far been blocked due to corruption in the unrecognized Transnistrian administration, the initiative itself is indicative of Russia’s strategic goal of making the region a military asset.
Western position
The EU and the U.S. strongly support Moldova, emphasizing its right to sovereignty and territorial integrity. The demilitarization of Transnistria is increasingly becoming an international priority for regional security.
The potential deployment of 10,000 Russian military personnel in Transnistria not only violates international law, but also opens a new front of hybrid warfare targeting Ukraine, Moldova and NATO countries.
Read also: Moldova wants to get rid of Russians from Transnistria “under the guise” of the ceasefire
Situation on the front in June 2025
As of June 4, 2025, the situation on the front in Ukraine remains tense, with active fighting in several directions.
North-eastern direction: Sumy and Kharkiv regions
Russian forces continue their offensive in Sumy region, achieving tactical successes in the areas of Andreevka, Kondratievka and Yunakovka. Ukrainian defense forces are resisting, but Russian units are reported to be advancing deep into the region. In Kharkiv Oblast, fighting has also been reported, especially in the Volchansk area.
East: Donetsk region
Intense fighting continues in Donetsk region. The sides report offensive and defensive operations near Chasov Yar and other settlements. Russian forces claim to be advancing, while Ukrainian forces report holding back enemy attacks.
Southern direction: Zaporizhzhya and Kherson regions
Artillery duels and exchanges of strikes continue in southern Ukraine. In Zaporizhzhya region, Russian shelling of critical infrastructure is reported, resulting in damage to administrative buildings and fires. Ukrainian defense forces are conducting counter-battery warfare and reinforcing defensive positions.
Air strikes and drone attacks
On the night of June 4, Russian forces carried out a massive drone and missile attack on various regions of Ukraine. In particular, hits were recorded in Zhytomyr region, resulting in fires at infrastructure facilities. Ukrainian air defense forces continue to repel air threats, shooting down some enemy drones.
Casualties of the sides
According to the General Staff of the AFU, the Russian army has lost about 1,020 servicemen over the past 24 hours, as well as a significant amount of equipment, including artillery systems and armored vehicles. The Russian side, in its turn, claims losses of the Ukrainian military in Donetsk, Kharkiv and Sumy regions.
International reaction
Against the background of the aggravation of the situation on the front, the international community is expressing concern. The United States has prepared a new package of sanctions against Russia, and continues to discuss military aid to Ukraine. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky held talks with the U.S. leadership, discussing further steps to support Ukrainian defense.
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