Analysis: Russian forces eye Moldova, as forces edge east to breakaway Transnistria

Russian forces have been seen moving west towards to Moldova, as what's thought to be fresh mass graves are spotted by satellite near Mariupol.

Defence Analyst at the Royal United Services Institute Dr Alex Walmsley takes a look at the latest developments on the ground in southern Ukraine.

[JimWilliams]

Transiteria is NOT self-proclaimed. Standard Russian procedure is to insert agitators in advance and then use them to proclaim independence.

[richardalexander]

What a shock!!! Who would ever have thought Russia wouldn't stick to their agreement to allow civilians to evacuate????

[tommyhallum]

It's weird I feel like we're being bullied by somebody we could kick the sh*t out of. I've just run out of thought it's just so sad and depressing.

[itsonlyme]

It makes me feel sick that Russia considers human life like trash and worthless.

[onerider]

These two combat-hardened vets have credibility dripping off them.

[jacobbarnett]

Russia really is good at liberating people from their lives.

[marcdc]

Putin considers it discrimination when a Russian speaker outside Russia doesn't get treated like royalty...

[dragosstanciu]

Moldova should unite with Romania to escape a Russian invasion.

[joso]

Moldova should apply to become a part of Romania with immediate effect (they have close ties and its been discussed before). Then they would become a part of NATO and be protected.

[cristianromanoschi]

So on short Moldova was part of Romania and was taken by force in 1940's and all intelectuals, teachers, priests deported to Siberia and they started to import some Russian colonists . In 1991 the feeling was that it will reunite with Romania as East Germany did. And surprise a special operation started to liberate the poor russians from Transnistria (part of Moldova) and the Russians installed a "peace keeping force" there and created a separatist region. For Moldova to enter Nato or UE shouldn t have disputed teritorries and now it is the poorest country în Europe . The same scenario happened in Georgia and now they are pulling the same stuff in Ukraine. They will not take over all Ukraine but only the rich în minerals coal and industry eastern regions block the access to Black Sea ports where they export the grains (3rd place in the world) and eventually mess up their infrastructure in the regions they won t ocupy. So Ukraine will remain in the same situation as Moldova with disputed territiries and poor as s..t. and no possibility to join an alliance. I watch the news and no analist seems to see that ex CIA or general or from Harvard or what not since this is the scenario repeated over and over again.

[davidmccann]

When is a ceasefire not a ceasefire? When it's a Russian one.

[chris_]

How does Russia liberates cities? By flattering them.

[albertohusay]

Moldova is a neutral country. It will pay the price of being neutral.

[simonsnaplick]

Isn't Transmistria already occupied by Russian troops? I thought they were a breakaway region of Moldova that remains loyal to the old USSR.

[rudebuddha]

I learned a new Russian word. "Liberated" or "освобожден" means "flattened beyond recognition". I learned another word in Russian "War" means "your going to prison for 15 years".

[DRKrust]

This shouldn't be a surprise to anyone who knows anything about Russia, the history of Transnistria and eastern Europe. Moldova is unaligned. Don't count in Russia stopping after taking Transnistria. ANY unaligned nation bordering Russia is under threat.

[Electronite]

Pushing to Moldova via Odessa seems very unlikely considering how poorly Russian army has fared against other big cities.

[buntik]

Don’t tell us what we want to hear, tell us the truth.

[bm]

Most likely this threat will lead to a reunification of Moldova with Romania. Same flag, same language, same history. No brainer

[raul]

Transnistria s population in 1990 was 40% ethnic Romanians, 27% ethnic Ukrainians, 24% russians… much of the Leadership of Transnistria such as Prime ministers or Presidents were literally born in Siberia and the rest of Russia
And also since 1990 until today HALF OF TRANSNISTRIA S POPULATION LEFT THE REGION .. over 700k people lived there in 1990 and nowdays arround 300k or Less.. and the only oppressed Language there is the Romanian Language With Literal teenagers being abducted by the “”transnistrian police” for speaking/being pro romanian and beaten Prison for even whole weeks…