Ukraine’s National Security and Defense Council Andrii Lasenko made warnings Monday that Russia likely intends to target Moldova next, noting that “little green men,” similar to those which invaded and barricaded Crimea in late February before Russia annexed the peninsula from Ukraine, had been recently reported by the former Moldovan Minister of the Interior, Gennady Cosovan.
“Russia is attempting to destabilize not only Ukraine, but other countries as well,” said Lasenko. The so-called “little green men” now present are those that recruit young people, initiate disinformation, know how to act in emergency situations and use small arms.
Cosovan had made statements Sept. 5 about the appearance of the Russian agents.
“The presence of ‘little green men’ has been found by intelligence and security service investigations conducted in southern Moldova,” said Cosovan. “They were training there, but, due to leaks, they managed to escape.”
The little green men had recruited 500 people in southern Moldova, who attended training in Rostov, Moscow and other locations. As part of their training, the youth shot 500-1000 cartridges per day, reportedly.
“Moreover, there is information that Chisinau is recruiting and training young people,” stated Cosovan.
Cosovan warned of the gravity of the situation. “It is no secret that the Transnistrian army is larger and better equipped–equipped with modern weapons–than the Moldovan [national] army.
“Therefore, in the event of an armed conflict, the Moldovan military will not have adequate strength.”
By Day Blakely Donaldson