According to the head of Moldova's intelligence service, the risk of a Russian invasion of this country will persist next year.

Russia planned to invade the territory of Moldova in early 2023. These plans' implementation depends on the war's development in Ukraine.

The head of the Intelligence and Security Service, Alexandru Musteata, in an interview with TVR Moldova expressed this opinion. According to him, the risk of Russia's invasion of Moldova will continue next year.

"The question is not whether the Russian Federation will attack the territory of Moldova, but when it will happen: either at the beginning of the year, in January, February or later, March, April. But, according to our information, the Russian Federation intends to go further,” Musteata said.

According to the official, several scenarios are being analyzed, one of which is Moscow will try to carry out a land invasion through northern Ukraine towards Moldova.

"For example, to create a corridor with the Transnistrian region, which is the territory of Moldova. Then we can clearly say that yes, they intend to get here, and connect. We can discuss what will happen next, their intentions towards Chisinau, but this is real and very high risk," Musteata said.

He also recalled that on the territory of Transnistria, there is "the largest in Europe" ammunition depot, which the Russians guard. The official does not rule out that the possible invasion of the Russian Federation into Moldova may be associated with using these munitions in a possible military confrontation.

"The goal of the Russian Federation to create a land corridor to the Transnistrian region remains relevant today, and a new offensive by the Russian Federation in this direction may take place as early as 2023. The implementation also depends on the development of events in the war in Ukraine," the Intelligence Service and security.

• The desire of the Russian Federation to make a land corridor in Transnistria was discussed back in the spring after the start of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. To do this, the Russians planned to capture the Odessa, Mykolaiv, and Kherson regions, but, fortunately, they failed to realize these plans.

• Recently, in December, Maia Sandu noted the courage of the Ukrainians, and also stated that Russia is waging a hybrid war against Moldova, trying to destabilize the situation in the country. She stressed that today Ukraine is defending not only its own freedom but also the freedom of Moldova.