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More Kiev-provoked strife in Transnistria possible, says expert

Such a conflict would be in the interests of Ukrainian authorities, Dmitry Ofitserov-Belsky noted

MOSCOW, May 6. /TASS/. The scale of the escalation in the unrecognized republic of Transnistria in April is somewhat inflated but the risks of an explosive situation Kiev may provoke are still in place, Dmitry Ofitserov-Belsky, a senior research fellow of the Primakov Institute of World Economy and International Relations (IMEMO) and an expert of the Valdai international discussion club, told TASS on Friday.

"As for the actual situation, I think it is somewhat exaggerated, with the situation being hyped in the mass media and statements. As for it becoming explosive, definitely, such risks do exist," he said.

He recalled that Russian nationals are living in this region and Russian troops are safeguarding Eastern Europe’s biggest munitions depot in Cobasna. "Indeed, there are certain catastrophic risks if a conflict breaks out. And it is Russia’s task to prevent such a conflict," the expert said.

According to Ofitserov-Belsky, a serious aggravation is in the interests of the Ukrainian side, which "might want to open another front." "Such a conflict would be in their interests, as there is an opinion, at least in Ukraine’s leadership, that in case of a conflict in Transnistria, Russia will have to redeploy some of its troops from Donbass," he explained.

A series of terror attacks occurred in Transnistria last week. According to Transnistria’s President Vadim Krasnoselsky, these attacks could be traced down to Ukraine. Alexey Arestovich, adviser to the head of the Ukrainian presidential office, said earlier that the Ukrainian army could seize Transnistria if Chisinau so requested.

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Ukraine Transnistria

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