Quick Hit - War in Ukraine #5

February 25 12:30 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. 

This week we will not have a weekly roundup but will instead stick with Quick-hits rapid updates as the situation evolves.

Fighting Rages all Across Ukraine

Right now Ukrainian troops are engaged in heavy fighting against Russian invaders all across Ukraine. Figuring out exactly where the lines stand is very challenging but a basic roundup is as follows:

• In the East, Ukrainian forces are holding their positions along the contact line in Donbas

• In the north east, Kharkiv is being attacked with heavy fighting

• In the south, Russian forces have advanced to the Dnieper river. Conflicting reports over who controls Kherson. Ukraine claims to hold the west bank of the river

• In the North, Russian troops have taken the Chernobyl power plant (little known fact, one reactor melted down - 3 are still active). Troops are advancing on Kyiv from at least 2 directions

• Fighting is happening in the suburbs of Kyiv. Russian airborne troops took a military airstrip outside the city yesterday and planned to create an airbridge to fly in troops and armor to attack the capital. Ukrainian forces drove them out and Russian troops fled into the forrest.

Airstrikes and cruise missile attacks continue across the country. Amazingly, the Ukrainian air force is still in the air fighting for the skies over Kyiv and downing attack helicopters and Russian fighters.

There are numerous reports of Ukrainian units fighting and sacrificing their lives in a rearguard action to destroy bridges and slow the Russian advance. One of the most shared stories is of the defenders of "Snake Island” in the Black sea. Here is the exchange of messages:

This is a Russian Warship, I repeat, I suggest you surrender your weapons and capitulate. Otherwise I will open fire. Do you copy?

Ukrainian Defenders - Russian Warship - go fuck yourself.

All defenders were killed. You can listen to the exchange with English subtitles here.

****Correction March 1, 2022: The Russian and Ukrainian Navies are reporting that the defenders survived and are in captivity. Initial reports were wrong though it is not clear if there was an error or intentional propaganda efforts.

Snake Island - Glory to Ukraine. Glory to Heroes.

It’s being reported that over 1700 people have been arrested in Russia for protesting the war. In many cases they are arrested right as they leave their apartments because police are waiting outside their doors knowing who likely protesters are.

In a chilling display of just what is happening, this is a photo of a Russian T-72 tank at the Dnieper river flying a Soviet flag as they advance to attack Ukrainian positions.

The Situation in Moldova

We have a better understanding this morning of the State of Emergency in Moldova that was declared last night. Here are some of the key powers given to the government during this crisis:

• expulsion from the territory of the country of persons whose presence may affect the assurance of public order and state security;

• temporary evacuation of citizens from life-threatening areas and their compulsory provision of permanent or temporary accommodation;

• banning the holding of rallies, public demonstrations and other mass actions;

  prohibition of the creation and activity of paramilitary formations of persons on the territory of the state;

• the provision, if necessary, of the rationalization of the consumption of food and other products of strict necessity;

• order, if necessary, the temporary cessation of the supply of gas, electricity and drinking water;

• involvement of citizens for the provision of services in the public interest under the law;

Right now the government’s focus is publicly entirely on supporting the massive influx of refugees from Ukraine. 15,000 people, mostly Ukrainians but also some Moldovans, have crossed the border into Moldova in the last 24 hours. Lines at the Palanca border crossing near Odessa are reported to be longer than 8 km. Moldova has begun resettling those without a place to stay at the MoldExpo center in Chisinau. There are reports from all the border crossings that while Moldova’s border is open Ukraine is only letting women and children leave. Fighting age men must stay in Ukraine and take up arms.

Moldova railways has suspended its train service from Chisinau to Odessa today indefinitely. Instead, they are adding service on Friday, Saturday and Sunday to Iasi Romania at the following times. Free transfer service is provided to the Iasi airport since Moldovan airspace is closed.

06:40 departure from Chisinau - 11:13 arrival in Iasi

17:40 departure from Iasi - 21:52 arrival in Chisinau

Transnistria

Currently there is very little public reporting about the situation around Russian troops in Transnistria. Unofficial sources say that troops in the breakaway region are on general alert and in their bases. A reliable source on the conflict tweeted (without official sourcing) that the French Foreign Minister has indicated fears that the conflict will spread to Moldova and Georgia.

Currently there have been no official statements from the Moldovan ministry of defense on any developments regarding the country’s security. As we have stressed many times at Moldova Matters Odessa is a key city to Moldova’s defense. Currently, Odessa is holding off attacks from the sea and Russian troops have not advanced to threaten the city on land.

We’ll keep updates coming as there is news to report.

For anyone looking to donate and support Ukraine there are many sites you can find online. We will be compiling a list of groups in Moldova that you can donate too in order to support refugee resettlement efforts. We’ll post more information when we have it.

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.