Quick Hit - War in Ukraine #3

Thursday February 24th

Welcome back to Moldova Matters. This week we’re continuing our new format called “Quick Hits” where we will write important updates on evolving stories during the week. For now, we’ll use this format to keep more regular updates moving on the Russia - Ukraine crisis and specifically how this impacts Moldova. 

Russia Invades Ukraine

Russia launched a massive invasion of Ukraine in the early hours of the morning today. Airstrikes and cruise missile attacks were reported all across Ukraine from the frontlines in Donbas as far east as Ivano-Frankivsk in the far west. Kyiv is under bombardment as are multiple major cities. Russian ground forces are advancing all across the contact line in Donbas and in what appear to be 3 major thrusts from Russia itself. One towards Kharkiv, one up from Crimea though the direction is uncertain at this time, and a pincer movement from 2 sides that is likely to encircle Kyiv. Ukrainian forces are fighting across the country. 

Early reporting claimed an amphibious landing was being conducted in Odessa but this has proved to be incorrect. However, there are videos showing strikes against the Ukrainian fleet in harbor and bombing and missiles strikes can be heard from far away. 

The Situation in Moldova

Multiple people in Chisinau reported hearing distant blasts last night likely coming from strikes across the border in Ukraine. In Tiraspol Transnistria, the sound of explosions from Odessa can be heard regularly. Residents in the north and south of Moldova have told friends in Chisinau that they were awakened by the sound of explosions heard distantly from neighboring Ukraine. 

In Chisinau, lines have formed at some gas stations as people fill up their tanks and other receptacles with fuel. The city has a feel of nervousness as people come to grips with the massive scale of the war that has started next door. 

Moldovan Government Reaction

This morning President Sandu convened the Supreme Security Council due to the attack on Ukraine. Following the meeting she announced that she is recommending declaring a State of Emergency and that Parliament will be presented with this option immediately. Border patrols will be strengthened to prevent provocations and meetings will be held over the course of the day to decide further actions. The President called on all Moldovans in Ukraine to return home immediately. 

Moldova’s Information and Security Service SIS has declared a “yellow code” for terrorism risk. They will step up measures to prevent, detect, and contain situations and provocations in Moldova. This includes strengthening control measures at border points, airports and rail and bus stations. Additionally, they will strengthen security around critical infrastructure facilities to prevent possible terrorist attacks. 

Based on the past Russian playbook and their intervention in Ukraine in 2014 “terrorist attack” is likely to represent attempts by Russian backed groups to cause civil unrest or create provocations on the territory of Moldova in order to destabalize the country. These are just precautions at this time and there have been no reports of any unusual incidents so far. 

President Sandu announced that Moldova is immediately preparing to receive refugees from Ukraine. When the fighting began, multiple flights that were headed towards Ukraine diverted and landed in Chisinau. The President said that all these people are being taken care of. Additionally Moldova is currently prepared to accept and care for 10,000 refugees and will make more room if needed. All checkpoints along the border are working in “enhanced mode” in order to expedite crossings. 

As of 11:30 this morning 1,900 Ukrainians have already crossed the border and are being assisted by rapidly assembling refugee stations. Cameras at the Palanca border crossing linking Moldova to Odessa show long long lines have formed even as of 9 am. 

Events are moving very quickly right now and it’s impossible to see just how things are shaping up in a big picture way. What we do know is that war has started in Europe on a scale not seen since 1939 and is ongoing. Moldovan authorities are squarely focused on this crisis and are preparing for refugees as well as taking some defensive measures. We’ll know more as announcements of additional actions by the government come out over the day. 

We’ll try to keep updates coming in short articles as major developments occur. 

Слава Україні! Героям слава! - Glory to Ukraine! Glory to Heroes!

We’ll continue sending Quick Hits as updates with relevant new information as it comes! In the meantime, share Moldova Matters with your friends and colleagues who are following this region and who also believe that Moldova does Matter.