ISW assesses risks of invasion of Ukraine from Transnistria

Group of Russian troops currently concentrated in unrecognized Transnistria does not pose a military threat to Ukraine

The Institute for the Study of War (ISW) has issued report on this.

Ukrainian officials have said that the probability of a Russian ground attack on Ukraine from the territory of Transnistria, a pro-Russian breakaway region of Moldova, is low following reports that the Transnistrian authorities may call or organize a referendum on annexation to Russia on February 28.

ISW analysts emphasize that they have not observed any indications suggesting that the limited Russian force grouping in Transnistria may attempt to conduct ground operations that could threaten Ukraine.

They added that they do not believe this group of forces is capable of launching a significant ground operation against Ukraine.

On February 22, ISW issued a warning forecast and estimated that Transnistrian officials could call for a referendum on joining the Russian Federation to support Russian hybrid operations aimed at political and social destabilization of Moldova. However, this warning concerned the threat to Moldova's stability, not the situation in Ukraine.