Russia's foreign intelligence service, known as the SVR, is closely monitoring the political situation in Moldova, where elections are set to take place on Sunday, September 28. The SVR has accused the European Union (EU) and NATO of planning a military invasion of the small republic, which is seen as critical in supporting war-torn Ukraine.

"Determined to keep Moldova aligned with their Russophobic policies, the Eurocrats in Brussels are prepared to do anything to achieve this, including sending troops and occupying the country," the Russian counterintelligence agency wrote in an alarming press release published Tuesday, September 23, on its official website.

According to the SVR, NATO troops "are being concentrated in Romania, not far from the Moldovan border" and are preparing to "land" in the Odesa region in southern Ukraine in order "to intimidate Transnistria," a separatist region of Moldova that hosts Russian troops despite its declaration of independence following the collapse of the USSR in 1991. The press release further claims that the first groups of French and British soldiers tasked with preparing for this "landing" are already on the ground in Odesa. Residents, it says, saw them arrive on April 10 on a civilian ship. According to the SVR, this contingent is expected to be reinforced soon with additional French soldiers.

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