Moldova calls exercises involving Russia on its soil illegal

CHISINAU, Moldova – Moldova's defense ministry says that recent military exercises involving Russian and separatist troops on Moldovan territory are illegal.

The ministry said in a statement Thursday that the exercises that took place recently in the separatist region of Trans-Dniester in eastern Moldova "violate Moldovan laws," but didn't say whether it would take measures.

Russian army officers and members of the Trans-Dniester army took part in anti-terror training from July 27-Aug. 3. Separatist authorities said they wanted to learn from Russian troops.

Trans-Dniester, a pro-Russian region which borders Ukraine, broke away from Moldova in 1990 fearing it wanted to reunite with Romania. A war broke out in 1992, leaving 1,500 dead.

There are about 1,000 Russian troops and peacekeepers stationed in Trans-Dniester.