Moldova has formally designated top commanders of the Russian military presence in the separatist region of Transnistria as unwelcome, labeling them persona non grata, Moldovan broadcaster TV8 reported on April 16.
The measure specifically affects the leadership of the Operational Group of Russian Forces (OGRF), including its commander, Dmitry Zelenkov, along with several high-ranking officers.
As outlined in the report, the decision effectively confines these officials to Transnistria. Should they attempt to leave the region, they risk being expelled and permanently barred from re-entering Moldova.
Russian forces have remained in Transnistria since the collapse of the Soviet Union, originating from units of the former 14th Army that backed separatists during the 1992 war. Today, the contingent is believed to consist of roughly 1,200 troops.
Moldovan authorities have consistently demanded the withdrawal of Russian troops and military stockpiles, arguing that their continued presence is unlawful and infringes on the country’s sovereignty.
In December 2025, a source cited by Kyiv Post claimed that Russia had been accelerating mobilization efforts, expanding drone manufacturing, and increasing covert activities in Transnistria in an effort to destabilize Moldova and heighten risks for Ukraine. Ukraine’s Defense Intelligence agency (HUR) also reported that facilities for producing drones and training UAV operators are already operating in the region.
According to HUR, Moscow’s renewed attention to Transnistria signals the launch of a hybrid campaign tied to the region’s planned 2026 “presidential elections” in the self-proclaimed Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic. The effort is reportedly aimed at restoring access to subsidized Russian gas for Tiraspol while strengthening the standing of pro-Russian political figures.
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