Russian peacekeepers in Transnistria getting ready for defense

The Russian peacekeepers in Transnistria are being trained to equip defensive positions and organize security zones during armed conflicts.

“They are being trained to equip checkpoints and to organize corridors and security zones during armed conflicts,” says Spokesman of the Western Military District Igor Muginov.

The trainees are also learning how to organize a field ambulance station.

The exercises will last till May 19 and involve as many as 500 peace keepers.

“These maneuvers are about defense. We are not teaching our men to attack but only to defend in case of an escalation,” Muginov says.

Almost 1,500 Russian peacekeepers are deployed in the security zone in Transnistria.

Formerly, they were able to move via Ukraine to Moldova but recently Ukraine’s Supreme Rada prohibited their access to the Ukrainian territory. So, from now on Russian peacekeepers will be able to get to the security zone only via the Chisinau Airport.

Moldova insists that the Russian peacekeepers be withdrawn from Transnistria and be replaced by an international civil mission, while they in Tiraspol believe that the peacekeepers are a guarantee of peace and security in the region.