Archive for the
‘Ex-Soviet’ Category

As of March 25, 2025, negotiations between Russia and Ukraine, mediated by the Trump administration, remain unlikely to produce a peace settlement within the first 100 days of President Donald Trump’s second term or by Easter Sunday (April 20th). A limited-time ceasefire across the entire battlefield may ultimately be agreed upon by Ukraine and Russia, […]

This report assesses the impact of North Korean military aid and personnel deployments on the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. While military contributions from the Democratic Peoples’ Republic of Korea (DPRK) have not altered the course of the war, they have provided tangible support to Russian forces. The deployment of infantry units, primarily used as expendable […]

Signs of infrastructure expansion in Ochamchire Bay, Russian-occupied Abkhazia, are emerging. While no major developments occurred at the pre-existing Russian FSB-Coast Guard base, new warehouses and cleared land in the adjacent area suggest potential expansion in connection to the Kremlin’s plans. Ochamchrie could serve as a reserve base for Russian warships displaced from occupied Crimea […]

In March 2024, the Republic of Moldova (including Transnistria) registered the following developments in its multi-sector security environment:  Foreign Relations and European Integration Noteworthy developments from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration President Sandu’s major meetings and discussions Defense Modernization Mobilization exercises Strategic Defense Agreement with France Moldovan bilateral exercises Major defense-related meetings […]

Romania is in discussions with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) to purchase the Giurgiulesti International Free Port (IFP) which is located in the Republic of Moldova.  Romania’s plan to acquire Giurgiulesti IFP was first disclosed by Romanian Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu during a Digi24 interview on 27SEP23 PM Ciolacu has stated that […]

In February 2024, the Republic of Moldova (including Transnistria) registered the following developments in its multi-sector security environment:  Foreign Relations and European Integration Noteworthy developments from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration President Sandu’s major meetings and discussions Defense Modernization Talks with European defense companies for the modernization of the Moldovan National Army […]

Transnistria’s ‘Congress of Deputies’, the highest decision-making body in Moldova’s separatist region, proved to be of little to no significance. Although Moldova and Ukraine successfully anticipated that the congress would be inconsequential, international public opinion fell into the trap of anticipated escalation based on the ‘annexation’ scenario put forward by a Transnistrian oppositionist.  The explicitly […]

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The so-called president of Moldova’s Transnistria breakaway region has called for a general congress of deputies– many fear the separatists will ask to join Russia, raising tensions. While under normal circumstances,  the notion that Transnistria would seek annexation by Russia could be dismissed as a recurring scare tactic or psychological operations (psyops), the current regional […]

Transnistria’s ‘traffic police’ incorporating first-person view (FPV) drones could signal the increasing adoption of a Ukraine war staple among the separatists’ ‘security and military forces’ as ordered by the Tiraspol leadership earlier this year.  TRANSNISTRIAN ‘INTERIOR MINISTRY FLIES FPV DRONES On 20FEB24, the so-called Transnistrian state traffic inspectorate initiated a trial using FPV drones to […]