Quick Hit - War in Ukraine #4

Thursday February 24th 6:15 pm

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

All eyes are on Ukraine as Russian troops are advancing against determined resistance on all fronts. It is now clear that the troops heading up from Crimea are angling westwards towards Odessa. According to reports from the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense Ukrainian forces are holding the Russian advance north of Kyiv in the Chenihiv region and in the south east around Mariople. Kharkiv is in heavy fighting. But it appears the Russian advance from Crimea is moving rapidly and has broken through some Ukrainian near Kherson. 

The situation remains extremely confused as the fighting is going on across such a large portion of the country all at once. Ukraine has opened its military armories and is calling on all able bodied civilians to take up arms in defense of the country. 

Moldova Updates

This morning Moldova announced that it was closing its airspace to all commercial aircraft until March 4th. This was decided due to the military conflict happening next door as a precaution against mistakes that could target civilian aircraft. All flights have been redirected to Iasi Romania. Currently all Moldovan land borders are open and accepting Ukrainian refugees. 

Reporters have gone to border crossings to speak to Ukrainians entering the country. Some say they are just transiting Moldova and heading for Romania (and NATO). Others are heading towards relatives in Moldova. Around 4000 people have crossed the border so far today with only 5 officially asking for asylum

Moldovan authorities setting up emergency shelter for Ukrainians crossing the border

On social media, a group called SOS Ukraine has been created to begin coordinating with volunteers and civil society groups to help people fleeing Ukraine towards Moldova. Meanwhile, the Moldovan government has officially called for Romanian and EU support to help Moldova with the influx of refugees. 

Government authorities continue encouraging citizens only to get their news from reliable sources. Earlier in the day text messages started being received by individuals telling them that Moldova is calling them up for Military services. The Ministry of Defense quickly debunked this, explaining that Moldova is not in the process of calling up reserves and that these messages were fake news.

Meanwhile, Moldovans continue to fill their gas tanks and have rushed to the stores to stock up on food and supplies. 

At the same time around 50 - 100 persons came to the Russian Embassy in Chisinau to protest the war. 

State of Emergency Declared

This afternoon the Commission for Emergency Situations officially recommended a State of Emergency that will be in place in Moldova for the next 60 days. During this time there will be changes to border regulations for non-citizens and non-residents. In part the goal is to expedite the process of accepting and taking care of refugees from Ukraine. The Prime Minister urged people not to panic and to avoid panic buying food. She said that supply chains are all working and the food on the shelves will be replenished even if they are empty this evening. Regarding Transnistria the Prime Minister said that communications with Tiraspol are ongoing as normal and that “risks are under control.” At the same time President Sandu met with representatives of PAS, the Communist Party and the Socialist Party and urged national unity in the face of the current crisis. 

Transnistrian Moves

The head of the Transnistrian region Vadim Krasnoselsky announced that there was no reason for a state of emergency in the region and that everything would continue as normal. He ordered the creation of a crisis center to assist Ukrainian refugees entering Transnistria. 

At the same time the motorized rifle division of the Russian Army Operational Group in Transnistria announced “special practical training exercises.” Various outlets have reported that these troops are being used in the attack on Ukraine. The Moldovan Ministry of Defense responded by saying that this news is incorrect and at this time they see no movements of Russian troops to attack Ukraine. 

Right now all seems quiet with Transnistria. But the Russian troops are only now crossing the Dnipr river. The real test of what Transnistrian / Russian intentions are towards Moldova will come after they reach Odessa. 

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.