Breaking: Multiple explosions rock Moldova

VLADIMIR PUTIN has sparked speculation his Russian war is spreading after a mysterious explosion rocked Transnistria, a breakaway Russian-controlled territory in Moldova.

Mysterious explosions reported in Transnistria, which borders Ukraine and broke away from Moldova following a war in 1992, have raised concerns the Ukraine war is spreading. Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said the Federation was alarmed by the escalation of tensions in Transnistria following “acts of terrorism” as she warned a thorough investigation into all the circumstances of the incident would be carried out.

She also condemned “attempts to involve it” in Ukraine.

Explosions targeted the state security HQ in the main city of Tiraspol, old Soviet-era radio masts used to broadcast Russian news, a military unit in Parcani, a village just outside Tiraspol, accoriding to Transnistria authorities.

No casualties have been reported, but a red “anti-terrorism” alert is now in force.

Separatist authorities blamed Ukrainian “infiltrators”, which was rubbished by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky who pinned the blame on Russian special services.

President Zelensky said: The goal is obvious – to destabilise the situation in the region, to threaten Moldova. They show that if Moldova supports Ukraine, there will be certain steps.”

“But we understand their capabilities, the Armed Forces of Ukraine are ready for this and are not afraid of them.”

Russia says it has 1,500 troops in Transnistria and officials say Russian-speakers in Moldova are being oppressed, the same justification used for the invasion of Ukraine.

A top Russian general, Rustam Minnekayev, said: “Control over the south of Ukraine is another way out to Transnistria, where there are also cases of oppression of the Russian-speaking population.”