Moldova declares Russian troop command in Transnistria personae non gratae

The government of Moldova has declared the command of Russian troops illegally stationed in the unrecognised region of Transnistria personae non gratae.

As reported by Newsmaker, speaker of the Moldovan Parliament Igor Grosu said the individuals concerned are required to go to Moldovan government-controlled territory to regularise their legal status, otherwise they will not be able to leave Transnistria.

"These individuals have been declared undesirable on the territory of the Republic of Moldova, and the reason is very simple and clear: the Russian army is in the territory of the Republic of Moldova illegally. That is exactly what we said – we have made this decision to declare them undesirable," Grosu said.

The decision effectively restricts the freedom of movement of Russian troops stationed in Transnistria. Those declared undesirable will be detained and deported to their country of origin if they attempt to cross the checkpoints to the right bank of the Dnister River or to leave the country via Chișinău International Airport.

According to media reports, the list includes Dmitry Zelenkov, Commander of the Operational Group of Russian Forces in Transnistria, his deputies Dmitry Opalev, Sergei Mashenko and Sergei Shirshov, Chief of Staff Marat Yarulin, and Alexei Bogomolov, who is involved in the illegal financing of the force.

Moldova's Migration Inspectorate said that since the beginning of the year, 76 foreign nationals, some of whom are members of "unconstitutional military formations", have been declared undesirable for periods ranging from five to 15 years.

On 25 February, Moldovan President Maia Sandu stripped nine current and former officials of the unrecognised Transnistrian administration of their citizenship, including former "interior minister" Ruslan Mova.