This was stated by a top general of the Russian military. He claims that Russia is planning to occupy southern Ukraine as well as open the way for the separatist region of Transnistria in Moldova. The British media reported this information in a report on Saturday (April 23).
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According to the report, Major General Rustam Minekayev was the Russian general who announced Russia’s new military plan. He is serving as the Deputy Commander of the Central Military District of the Russian Armed Forces.
General Rustam Minekayev, one of the top Russian military officials, has made it clear that Moscow wants to take “full control” of southern Ukraine, in addition to the eastern Donbass region.
The BBC says Moldova’s Transnistria region bordering Ukraine is essentially a Russian-backed separatist area. It is unknown at this time what he will do after leaving the post. Moldova, however, has summoned the Moscow ambassador for Minekayev’s remarks.
Russian defense officials have told the BBC’s Steve Rosenberg that they are “examining” General Minekayev’s remarks. Confirming the statement by one of Russia’s top military officials would be the first revelation of possible Russian plans in the coming weeks.
“Another way to get to Transnistria is to take full control of southern Ukraine,” said General Minekayev, deputy commander of Russia’s Central Military District, speaking at a military event in the country’s Sverdlovsk region. Because the Russian-speaking population is being persecuted in the Transnistria region.
Ukraine’s Defense Ministry has condemned General Minekayev’s remarks, calling them “imperialist”.
Note that the Transnistria region is basically a small Russian-speaking isolated region. It is located on the western border of Ukraine. After the collapse of the Soviet Union, Transnistria declared independence through a bloody conflict. But no country has recognized their independence internationally, and the region is still officially part of Moldova. However, a small contingent of about 1,500 Russian troops has been stationed in the region since 1995 as part of a ceasefire agreement.
