Moldova condemns participation of Russian troops in Victory Day parade in Transnistria
The Moldovan Foreign Ministry has condemned the participation of the Operational Group of Russian Forces (OGRN) in a military parade in Transnistria on May 9. A corresponding statement was published by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Moldova, Interfax-Ukraine reports.
"Such actions jeopardize the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Republic of Moldova," the statement said.
"The participation of the OGRN, together with power structures of the region, in the military parade is damaging the process of the Transnistrian settlement and strengthening of confidence between the two banks of the Dniester," the department noted.
There is a contingent of Russian servicemen based in Transnistria whose main directive is to prevent escalation of the Transnistrian conflict and to guard warehouses holding ammunition.
OGRN is the successor of the 14th Combined Arms Army, which, after the collapse of the USSR, remained under Russian jurisdiction.
OGRN not only regularly participates in military parades in Transnistria, but also conducts military exercises. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Moldova has repeatedly opposed the holding of such exercises.