As the war between Russia and Ukraine is anticipated to escalate in the
next few weeks, the neighboring nation of Moldova may be caught in the
crosshairs.

Russian state-run news outlet RT claims Eastern Europe is on the verge of
a war that includes Moldova and Transnistria, known officially as the
Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic—a post-Soviet state internationally
recognized as part of Moldova.

Tensions are rising after claims in recent weeks by Russian officials that
Kyiv "is preparing an armed provocation against Transnistria in the near
future," which would hypothetically be led by the Armed Forces of Ukraine
in tandem with the neo-Nazi Azov regiment.

What the countries' officials are saying

Leaders of both Russia and Ukraine are countering the others' narratives
about the importance of Moldova in the context of the overarching conflict.

"A staged Russian offensive from the territory of Transnistria is supposed
to act as a pretext for the invasion," the Russian Defense Ministry said
February 23 via Telegram. "Ukrainian saboteurs participating in the staged
invasion will be disguised in the uniform of the Armed Forces of the
Russian Federation."

One day later, the Russian Foreign Ministry released its own statement
alleging that a "significant accumulation" of Ukrainian military personnel
equipment—including artillery in ready positions and "unprecedented"
increases of unmanned aircraft—had exacerbated the situation on the
Ukraine-Pridnestrovian border.

"We warn the United States, NATO member countries and their Ukrainian
wards from the next adventurous steps," the Russian Foreign Ministry
wrote, adding that the Russian Federation would "adequately respond" to
any provocation but prefers peaceful, diplomatic solutions.

https://www.newsweek.com/russia-state-media-warns-war-coming-european-country-1785888