Armed Forces of Ukraine not afraid of Russian troops in Transnistria – Zelensky.

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky has stated that the Armed Forces of Ukraine understand the strength of Russian troops in the temporarily occupied territory of Moldova, Transnistria, and are ready for any developments.

He said this at a joint briefing with IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi following their meeting in Kyiv, Ukrinform reports.

"As for Russian troops that are constantly located in the temporarily occupied territory of Moldova, namely in Transnistria, for many, many years, we know that they are in constant readiness, waiting for an order. We understand their power and the Ukrainian armed forces are ready and are not afraid of them,” Zelensky said.

The President said he fully shares the assessment of the situation by Moldovan President Maia Sandu. He also said he discussed that issue with Romanian Prime Minister Nicolae Ciucă who was in Kyiv on Tuesday.

"We clearly understand that this is one of the steps of the Russian Federation. The special services are working there. It's not just about fake news. The goal is obvious - to destabilize the situation in the region, to threaten Moldova. They show that if Moldova supports Ukraine, there will be certain steps," the President said.

As Ukrinform reported, on April 26, explosions were reported at a radio broadcasting facility in the village of Maiac, Grigoriopol district, in self-proclaimed Transnistria.

The Main Directorate of Intelligence of the Defense Ministry of Ukraine stated that the explosions in Tiraspol were a planned provocation by Russian special services.

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