Russia wants to send 10,000 troops to European Region, PM warns

Moscow is reportedly trying to install a Pro-Russian government to make it happen.

What is happening?

Russia is aiming to deploy up to 10,000 troops in Transnistria—a breakaway region of Moldova just 200 kilometers from NATO member Romania—according to Moldovan Prime Minister Dorin Recean.

Wants to install new government

Speaking to the Financial Times, Recean said Moscow’s goal is to install a pro-Kremlin government in Chisinau, Capital of Moldova, that would permit the military buildup.

A Longstanding Foothold in a Volatile Region

Transnistria, a thin strip of land wedged between Moldova and Ukraine, has hosted a small Russian military presence since the early 1990s.

Though the contingent currently numbers around 1,500 troops, most are local recruits.

Only a handful are active-duty Russian soldiers dispatched from Moscow.

Already Meddling Ahead of Moldova’s Election

Recean revealed that Russia is already interfering in Moldova’s parliamentary elections, set for September.

“They hope a more friendly government will open the door to more troops,” he told FT.

He described it as part of a broader effort to destabilize Moldova’s pro-Western political trajectory.

Russia Wants to Cement Its Military Presence

Recean warned that Moscow’s ultimate goal is to “consolidate their military presence in the Transnistria region.”

Intelligence reports, he added, indicate that Russia is actively planning for a much larger deployment—up to 10,000 soldiers if conditions permit.

Strategic Threat Near NATO Borders

“With 10,000 troops, imagine the pressure they could exert—not just on southwestern Ukraine, but right next to Romania, a NATO member,” Recean cautioned. The proximity to Romania adds another layer of concern for both Moldova and its Western allies.

Historical Roots of the Russian Presence

Russia has maintained a military presence in Transnistria since 1992, when it intervened in support of the separatist movement.

Although significantly downsized since then, the current garrison still secures a massive Soviet-era arms depot in the region.

Moldova Demands Troop Withdrawal

Chisinau has repeatedly called for the removal of Russian troops, citing violations of national sovereignty.

However, Moscow has shown little willingness to budge, maintaining its grip on the region under the pretext of “peacekeeping.”

Suspicious Cash Transfers and Voter Manipulation

Moldovan border authorities have reportedly intercepted citizens returning from Russia with as much as $1.2 million in undeclared cash.

Meanwhile, around 130,000 voters in the last presidential election were allegedly linked to Russian funding sources.