Russia may have to defend Transnistria should Ukraine stage provocations

Kyiv's desire to open the Transnistrian front will mark the end of Moldova, Vladimir Chizhov, Russia's permanent representative to the European Union said, TASS reports.

Vladimir Chizhov does not rule out that Russia will have to defend the unrecognized Transnistrian Moldavian Republic (officially the Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic (PMR)) should Ukraine start provocations at the border.

"Moreover, many, primarily in Kyiv, really want the Transnistrian front to open. I do hope that common sense will prevail, because this will be the end of Moldova,” Chizhov said.

Earlier, representatives for the PMR said that the Ukrainian side could be involved in a grenade attack on the village of Vladimirovka. Transnistrian Foreign Minister Vitaly Ignatiev pointed out that Vladimirovka was "quite close" to the Ukrainian territory.