Moldova calls exercises involving Russia on its soil illegal

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.