Moldova Vows to Defend Itself from Possible Russian Aggression

Moldova will take "specific measures" if there are signs of increased Russian military activity in the nearby Mykolaiv-Odesa region of Ukraine, the Minister of Defence, Anatol Nosatii, said on Wednesday.

"We will have to change our actions and be more active in a possible response to potential scenarios that would affect the territory of Moldova if the [Russia's] military operations are rerouted to the Mykolaiv-Odessa axis," Nosatii told a TV political show.

The Black Sea port city of Odesa is crucial to Ukraine's defence of its southern coast but also the last barrier to Moldova if Russia intends also to invade the former Soviet republic.

The West believes Moldova is out of danger right now, but, in a concerning move for Moldova, Russia increased its offensive in the south of Ukraine in the past few weeks.

The Russian drive to take Odesa over the past month seemingly came to a halt with the front settled near the nearby town of Mykolaiv. but many experts suspect the all-important port is still on Moscow's territorial shopping list.

Western officials have started to talk about delivering weapons to Chisinau to strengthen its defence. The British Foreign Minister, Liz Truss, recently told the UK Telegraph that the UK wanted to protect Moldova and to send guns so the country could better defend itself. However, no concrete deliveries have been mentioned.

Defence Minister Nosatii specified that in the event of an attack on Moldova, the National Armed Forces would defend the country "within the limits of its capabilities".

He admitted, however, that the army is small and poorly equipped, with only about 6,500 soldiers and 2,000 non-armed personnel.

He expressed concern that Moldova's breakaway pro...