Russia’s army has carried out a large-scale reenactment of a Soviet invasion that led to Romania’s post-war occupation in a stark warning to NATO. Together with separatist troops from Transnistria, Putin’s army recreated the 1944 Iași–Chișinău offensive in the demilitarised Security Zone on the banks of the Dniester River.
The military display involved tanks, artillery, and military vehicles, which simulated the Soviet breakthrough against Axis forces that ultimately opened the Balkans to Soviet control. The live manoeuvre drills and pyrotechnics were designed to send an “unmistakable message” to Nato leaders, experts said.
Analysts believe the reenactment was meant as a demonstration of power, as well as an attempt to destabilise the region.
Officials in neighbouring Moldova say Russia is trying to undermine the country’s sovereignty and apply pressure on both Ukraine’s rear and NATO’s eastern borders. Moloava is not a NATO member but is next to Romania, which is.
Russia is set to increase its military presence in the region, according to Moldova’s Prime Minister Dorin Recean whose country borders Transnistria.
He warned that Putin was aiming to boost troop numbers to 10,000 – a ten fold increase on the current contingent of roughly 1,000.
The event comes amid growing concern in the region over Russia’s intentions beyond Ukraine.
NATO officials have repeatedly warned about Russia’s hybrid tactics targeting Moldova, the Western Balkans, and other vulnerable areas along the military alliance’s periphery.
Putin has claimed Romania and Bulgaria Nato accession contributed to the tensions that led to the war in Ukraine.
In a 90-minute propaganda documentary called “Russia. Kremlin. Putin. 25 Years” aired on state TV, archive footage shows the Kremlin tyrant addressing world leaders at a security conference.
Putin says in the clip: “So-called light forward US bases are appearing in Bulgaria and Romania, one in each country.
“And we have every right to ask ourselves openly: against whom is this expansion taking place?”
The documentary goes on to show Putin speaking in the present day, explaining what he had meant.
“This was the message I wanted to convey to our partners and colleagues, hoping that they would hear us and change their attitude towards Russia. But unfortunately they did not hear us.
“That is, they heard us, but did not respond appropriately. Ultimately, this led to the tragic events in Ukraine today.”
Romania’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Andrei Țărnea rejected the claim, saying Romania’s accession to NATO was the sovereign will of its citizens and its allies and “does not pose a security threat to anyone”.