OSCE Moldova: Russia conducted unauthorized military exercises in Transnistrian Security Zone
The OSCE Mission in Moldova expressed its concern that on August 14 and 15, the Operational Group of Russian Forces in Transnistria conducted unauthorized military exercises, including the crossing of the Dniester River in the Security Zone, reported the press service of the Moldovan representation of the Special Monitoring Mission (SMM).
Note that in accordance with its mandate, the OSCE deployed its observers to the relevant part of the Security Zone. However, the team was banned from conducting full monitoring of the exercises.
"In compliance with the Principles of Co-operation between the OSCE Mission and the Joint Control Commission (JCC) in the security zone from 2004, the Mission shared the results of its observations with all the JCC delegations through established channels," said the statement.
The CMM added that in accordance with the Principles of Co-operation for the Peaceful Settlement of the Armed Conflict in the Transnistrian Region of the Republic of Moldova of July 21, 1992, the conduct of military exercises in the Security Zone requires the permission of the JCC, which in this particular case was not obtained.
The report also said that a few weeks earlier, the Joint Control Commission staff and the OSCE Mission to Moldova recorded the illegal movement of Russian military equipment in the Security Zone. This is also prohibited by the 1992 Agreement.