Transnistria is unrecognised and has been in a state of frozen conflict for almost 30 years after trying to break away from Moldova. It has not seen hostilities since 1992.

There has even been a certain rapprochement between Transnistria and Moldova in recent years, and Moldovan authorities reported this month that the number of Transnistria residents who have applied for Moldovan citizenship has doubled since the start of the war in Ukraine.

In Moscow, Dmitry Peskov, a Kremlin spokesman, told reporters he was “concerned” about the developments in Transnistria.

Ukraine will ensure ‘strategic security’ in Moldova

Mykhailo Podolyak, an adviser to Volodymy Zelensky, the Ukrainian president, on Tuesday accused Russia of trying to sow chaos in Transnistria.

“The bad news is if Ukraine stands, the enemy will be at [Moldova’s] door tomorrow,” he said in a statement.

“The good news is Ukraine will ensure strategic security in the region.”

The attacks came amid heightened Russian military activity in Ukraine’s south-west.

Just a few miles north-east of Transnistria, a Russian missile strike damaged a bridge connecting Ukraine’s Odesa region to a narrow strip of land next to the border with Romania. The strike appeared to be aimed at cutting off Western arms supplies to Ukraine. 

Local authorities said on Tuesday afternoon that they had closed the bridge to traffic.