A top military think tank has warned that Moldova is the next target for Vladimir Putin and the Russian forces.
Institute for the Study of War reported that the Kremlin is using "very similar" rhetoric towards Moldova as it did before its invasion of Ukraine.
The think tank said Moscow’s methods are "likely" designed "to set conditions to justify possible future Russian escalation against Moldova."
It comes as Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov made a series of allegations that sound similar to those directed at Ukraine ahead of Russia’s annexation of Crimea and its full-scale invasion.
Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov made the comments
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Lavrov made the claim that the US and EU control the Moldovan government.
He also claimed that there are about 200,000 Russian citizens in Transnistria, a region between the Dniester river and the Moldova–Ukraine border. He said that Russia is "concerned about their fate" and "will not allow them to become victims of another Western adventure."
It comes as Eastern Balkan nations have said that Putin's military policy may expand.
Romanian Chief of Defence Gheorghita Vlad said: "I am more than convinced that President (Vladimir) Putin's policy will escalate in the near future."
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The ISW had previously reported that the Kremlin has used the idea of protecting its "compatriots abroad" to justify Russian occupation of Transnistria since 1992 as well as its full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
It said: "The timing of a possible Russian hybrid operation in Moldova is unclear, but the Kremlin is setting informational conditions to make it possible soon."
Earlier today, Ukraine said it was withdrawing troops from some parts of the eastern town of Avdiivka to better positions after months of heavy fighting, and battle-hardened reserve fighters from a crack brigade have joined the battle.
Russia is trying to encircle and capture Avdiivka nearly two years after its full-scale invasion of Ukraine and Kyiv's foothold in the town appears increasingly shaky, with its supply lines threatened.
Ukrainian military spokesman Dmytro Lykhoviy said on state television: "In Avdiivka a manoeuvre is underway in some places to withdraw our units to more advantageous positions, in some places to force (the Russians) out of positions.
"Therefore the key announcement with regards to all this is that supplies to Avdiivka and evacuations from there are difficult."
In his nightly national address to the Ukrainian people, President Zelenskiy said: "The situation on the front - Avdiivka, the east in general.
"We are doing everything possible to ensure that our soldiers have sufficient managerial and technological capabilities to preserve as many Ukrainian lives as possible."
