JAKARTA - Moldova's spy chief warned on Monday the "very high" risk of Russia's new attack on the east of its country next year, saying Moscow is still aiming to secure ground corridors through Ukraine into the breakaway Moldovan Transistria region.
Alexandru Musteata's comments, head of the Information and Security Service (SIS), echoed a recent message from Ukraine in which army generals have warned in recent days about the threat of a new Russian major attack early next year.
"The question is not whether the Russian Federation will make new progress towards the Moldovan region, but when will it do so," Musteata told TVR-Moldova television channel.
He said his agency believed Russia was looking at several scenarios to achieve Moldova and the possibility of an attack being launched in January-February or later in March-April.
The Information and Security Service said in a statement it expected Russia's offensive measures would depend on the course of an invasion of Ukraine.
Moldova has a large defense budget Meanwhile, Russia has long placed troops and peacekeepers in Transnistria, an area that has separated itself from Moldova, lasting three decades with support from Moscow. Musteata said Russia wanted its troops to connect with troops in Transdniestria.
Russia's Ministry of Defense did not immediately return a request for written comment from Reuters.
It is known that Transistria broke away after the 1992 civil war but was not recognized by most countries. Its territory stretches about 400 kilometers (249 miles) between the east coast of the Dniester River in Moldova and the country's borders with Ukraine, citing AP.
Since Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24, concerns have flared up in Moldova that is not a member of NATO and is neutral militarily, that the conflict could spread to the country through Transistria.
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