Pridnestrovie asks to increase the number of Russian peacekeeping forces in the country.

The leadership of the unrecognized Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic (PMR) asked Russia to increase the number of peacekeepers in connection with the growing security risks. The head of the PMR office in the Russian Federation, Leonid Manakov, said this in an interview with RIA Novosti.

According to him, the size of the Russian contingent in 1995 was reduced to two motorized rifle battalions (about 450 people), although initially there were six. The number of staff established by the documents of the commission is 3100 people. Manakov noted that an increase in the number of peacekeepers is legally possible and justified in the event of provocations and a terrorist threat.

“Back in 1995, Russia, by a unilateral decision, which was not agreed upon at the level of the Joint Control Commission, reduced the number of its own contingent to two motorized rifle battalions, although there were originally six. That is, the current number is no more than 450 Russian peacekeepers permanently operating in the zone security. At the same time, their staffing, established by the documents of the commission, is 3100 people "- said Leonid Manakov.

The diplomat also added that the number of peacekeeping forces could be increased, including Russians living in the territory of Pridnestrovie. This proposal has already been discussed several times.

Peace in the zone of the Transnistrian conflict is supported by a joint peacekeeping force consisting of 402 Russian servicemen, 492 Transnistrian, 355 Moldovan, and 10 military observers from Ukraine. Peacekeepers are serving at 15 fixed posts and checkpoints located in strategically important areas of the security zone.

The Russian side has not yet given an official response to such a request, however, it is unlikely that the peacekeeping contingent will be allowed into the territory of Pridnestrovie in the current conditions.