REINTEGRATION BUREAU URGES PEACEKEEPERS IN SECURITY ZONE ON DNIESTER RIVER TO REFRAIN FROM PROVOCATIVE ACTIONS

The Bureau for Reintegration called on peacekeepers in the security zone on the Dniester River "to refuse provocative actions." This was stated in its commentary on the exercises held by Russian peacekeepers on Tuesday.

According to the report, "On April 23, Russian peacekeepers, part of the Joint Peacekeeping Force, held exercises, practicing measures to 'repel attacks on the positions of peacekeeping forces.'" The exercise took place at peacekeepers' posts located near the settlements of Dubasari, Cocieri, Bender, Firladeni and Hadjimus.

"The Moldovan delegation to the Joint Control Commission (JCC) states that the conduct of exercises without the necessary coordination causes new tensions in the Security Zone, frightening the population. It also confirms that the founding acts of the peacekeeping mission on the Dniester are seriously and systematically violated. The Moldovan delegation to the JCC calls on the participants in the peacekeeping operation to exclude such provocative actions that contradict the principles of peacekeeping and Moldovan legislation," the Bureau said in a statement.

This is not the first time that Russian peacekeepers in the region have conducted exercises without the approval of the JCC and the Joint Military Command. In December 2023, they conducted exercises at Joint Peacekeeping Force posts using combat weapons, equipment and gear, some of which were not even declared as part of the military contingent's equipment. The Moldovan delegation to the JCC then demanded an investigation.