Peter Graff

RYBNITSA. Transdniestria. Moldova (Reuters) – “Ofcourse we’re afraid,” Galina Martalog, a retired woman, said as she crossed a bridge across the Dniestr River, to get from her Transdniestria house, a proRussian-held sliver in Moldova, along the Ukraine border. “Who doesn’t fear war?”

She was joined by a throng of cars and trucks that backed up the 400-metre bridge due to additional checks by Transdniestria’s Separatist Authorities, who declared an emergency in response to a week of terror attacks intended at drawing the region into Ukraine’s war.

Reports of shootings and explosions in Transdniestria have made it a subject of speculation about whether the Ukraine conflict could spread beyond borders.

Transdniestria’s separatist officials blame Ukraine for attacking the territory of their country to incite war with Russian troops located within the enclave. According to them, attackers attacked their security headquarters last week and blew up two radio masts. They also sent several drones over the frontier from Ukraine with explosives.

The situation in Transdniestria is worrying because of terrorist attacks,” Vitaly Ignatiev (foreign minister for the separatist administration), told Reuters in a video interview this week via video link. He spoke to Reuters from Tiraspol which is the capital city.

Transdniestria is not under threat from Ukraine. He said that Transdniestria doesn’t threaten Ukraine. I have repeatedly said that we are an absolut peaceful state.

Ukrainian officials repeatedly claimed they were not responsible for the transnistrial incidents, alleging that Russia staged false-flag strikes to incite war. Moscow has also denied responsibility, but said it was worried that Kyiv would escalate.

Moldova’s pro-Western president Maia Sandu blamed unrest on separatists.

Reuters was unable to verify independently who has carried out the attack.

Martalog was one of many Rybnitsa residents who felt an uneasy feeling of bewilderment. Reuters spoke with approximately half a dozen respondents who didn’t know where to start.

“We go to the house, then we come back.” Martalog said, “Everyone sees exactly the same thing: the TV shows what is shown on it.” Martalog was returning from visiting family in Moldova when Martalog spoke to Rybnitsa. “Who knows?”

According to the separatists in control of the region, they’ve cancelled foreign journalists accreditations due to the emergency declared last week after the attack.

Reuters was given permission to travel into the region. However, Reuters is not allowed to take pictures or conduct interviews. This story was based on a walk through Rybnitsa by a reporter, who observed the area and spoke with many of those living across the bridge.

ALL QUIET

Except for the increased traffic on the bridge, there were no signs of emergency. On the Moldovan-controlled side, there were no security checks. A single officer sat at a booth.

“You see? “You see?

They would have closed the border if the situation was serious. Speedboats would zoom up and down the river. Can you see it? It’s quiet all around,” he stated.

Since the fall of the Soviet Union, there has been a small Russian contingent in Transdniestria of approximately 1,200 soldiers. They guard a large weapons dump at Cobasna. It is just a few kilometers from Rybnitsa and the Ukrainian border.

One month ago, a Russian general claimed that Moscow wanted to take over a large portion of the southern Ukrainian territory for its transdniestria connection. Official protests were made by the Moldovan government after these remarks.

The separatist-held Rybnitsa had a bustling fruit and veg marketplace of covered stalls. It was selling fresh, seasonal tomatoes and big quantities of sweetened strawberries. A busy, large supermarket was full of shelves.

It was sunny and clear. It was a sunny, clear day. A faint, unidentified smoke could be seen over a cement factory. This is one of many large industrial companies that have flourished in Transdniestria because they are heavily subsidised with Russian gas. On the separatist’s side, kayakers were seen paddling along the riverbank by the quay.

Diana Blanari was sitting at a bus station on the Moldovan side with her baby and her young daughter.

“Ofcourse you feel it. People over there in Rybnitsa fear being dragged to it. She said, “What with? – Where are all the weapons in Cobasna?”

However, she was able to smile and share her happiness with her daughter.

It will all be fine, I think. “We don’t believe rumours,” she stated.