Viktor Savchenko, editor-in-chief of the First Pridnestrovian TV Channel:
Vadim Nikolaevich, people have been talking about terrorist attacks for a week in Pridnestrovie. Video investigation appeared the day before from the investigating bodies of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, from the Ministry of State Security, which everyone is discussing. According to the investigation, the trail leads to Chisinau. More and more questions are being asked. There is already a reaction from abroad. How could you comment on what people saw yesterday?
Vadim Krasnoselsky, the PMR President:
What people saw yesterday is the result of joint investigation, the implementation of operational measures by the state security agencies, the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the Investigative Committee, together with the prosecutor's office. The eighth terrorist act was committed on the territory of Pridnestrovie, but this one was different from the others, we managed to catch hold of the perpetrators of this terrorist act. There was video surveillance, which helped, by the way. The movement of vehicles was recorded, the execution of this terrorist act – and we knew about specific defendants, identified them. Naturally, the thread reached out to the customers of this crime.
Igor Avrenev, editor-in-chief of TSV:
Vadim Nikolaevich, weren’t you surprised that the previous traces of terrorist attacks led to Ukraine (a remotely piloted aircraft that flew in from Ukraine, traces of a car on which the shooters entered), but this time it was connected with Moldova?
Vadim Krasnoselsky, the PMR President:
I'm not surprised at all. I am a law enforcement officer, a security official in my essence, I used to hold such positions. Life taught me not to be surprised at anything, but simply to believe the facts in the course of working in such positions. Everything else is speculation, empty talk. These attacks cannot be compared. For example, a terrorist attack on the Mayak station in the Grigoriopol district: imagine that it was surrounded by mines with a total weight of 200 kilograms – this is already a semi-military operation, not just terrorists, but trained people, and not only one person. These 200 kilograms had to be physically brought at a minimum, that is 15-20 people worked. The scheme of the explosion was worked out. The fact that half of it didn't explode is another matter. There is no need to compare here. Let's take a terrorist attack against the building of the Ministry of State Security: it was carried out with the use of grenade launchers. Another terrorist attack was committed then. Of course, it differed in execution. This is a handicraft production of Molotov cocktails. It was immediately clear that the perpetrators were not military people, not classically trained specialists for carrying out certain terrorist attacks. It was obvious. After the arrest, we were convinced of this: this terrorist attack was carried out by people who were completely outsiders - hooligans, former drug addicts, as they say in society, asocial elements. They were used in a terrorist act to set fire to the Tiraspol military registration and enlistment office. Another question, who stands behind all of this? As a result of the investigative and operational measures, we managed to establish from the testimony of the perpetrators that those people who are behind these crimes, namely the arson of the military registration and enlistment office, are related to the law enforcement structures of Moldova. They showed certificates, there are still nuances, but we didn’t just take a person and say that it was him. I look at these Moldovan politicians, at the same Grosu, at others who say "this is true, this is not true." At first they said that these were our internal squabbles in Pridnestrovie, then they said that these were FSB actions, and then they said that these were the actions of some special group of the former 14th Army. All of this is like chatter, just chatting. Just some statements, slogans, like at a rally. I'm used to dealing with facts. The facts that were obtained as a result of investigative and operational measures, as a result of an inquiry, from the testimony of eyewitnesses and executors, speak of a different story. There is every reason to believe that the customers of this terrorist act, sabotage act are persons who are related to the authorities of the Republic of Moldova. It is a fact. Even the very acquaintance in the film-investigation was shown on purpose - their acquaintance with the figurant who committed this arson.
The recruitment took place on the basis that drugs were found with this citizen of the Republic of Moldova in his pocket, he was previously convicted of hooliganism. He was offered cooperation in order not to apply a measure of restraint to him. This is pure recruitment. He carried out one or another of their instructions, did something for them, but there were no serious tasks. Then April 2022, May 2022 came, serious tasks appeared – to carry out a terrorist act on the territory of Pridnestrovie. We have photographic materials, we have all the personal data of customers, that is, those persons who are directly related to these terrorist acts. A certain Ivan - we have his photo, his personal data, as well as his, let's say, colleagues. They were and set tasks together on the territory of Pridnestrovie.
Therefore, I want to advise some Moldovan politicians: before declaring something, you still need to have data on hand. In order for you to have this data, I want to invite the Prosecutor’s Office of the Republic of Moldova to come to Tiraspol, to the Investigative Committee, and we can present the data, the evidence worked out as part of the investigation of this criminal case, to the Prosecutor’s Office of the Republic of Moldova. We can open the personal data of the customers of this crime, which are apparently related to the law enforcement agencies of the Republic of Moldova.
Viktor Savchenko, editor-in-chief of the First Pridnestrovian TV Channel:
Why does Pridnestrovie need such interaction?
Vadim Krasnoselsky, the PMR President:
I'm leaning towards this idea. Ms. Sandu, President of the Republic of Moldova, constantly declares peace. Still, I am convinced that these are not empty words. I feel that the President of Moldova really thinks about peace, like other politicians who talk about peace. Maybe Grosu also thinks about the world. There is a small nuance. They do not have information about the internal state of their law enforcement structures as I see from the situation, they do not know what they are doing, what orders they are carrying out. This is the impression I have today. I want to help the leadership of Moldova deal with their law enforcement agencies so that they do not set them up either personally or the state as a whole.
This is very serious when a terrorist attack is committed on the adjacent territory, and all the threads lead to the neighboring state. These are not empty words, we know about these threads, please come and get acquainted. Moreover, if the Prosecutor’s Office of the Republic of Moldova expresses a desire, the representatives will arrive in Tiraspol, apply to the Investigative Committee of the PMR and our prosecutor’s office and will be allowed to study this criminal case, we do not object to the participation of OSCE representatives, as an international mediator of the “5 +2". Why not? Not the only OSCE, but together with the Prosecutor's Office of Moldova. We have the evidence base, we have nothing to hide. I am convinced that even though this is a sad episode in our relations, it can also be beneficial, somewhere it will remove possible risks. The performer was detained on the 18th. There was a danger that later he could commit other provocative terrorist acts, where the death of people would already be possible.
Igor Avrenev, editor-in-chief of TSV:
Were there any prerequisites for the assumption of more similar sabotage?
Vadim Krasnoselsky, the PMR President:
There were prerequisites, of course. He was constantly in contact with customers, there were other customers above these customers and requests were constantly received, tasks were set let’s say. I am convinced that the arson of the military registration and enlistment office was not the last in the chain. We had every reason to consider that there were other tasks. We feared this and decided to stop the criminal activity on the 18th.
Igor Avrenev, editor-in-chief of TSV:
Vadim Nikolaevich, the second part of the video investigation about the fact that there was not only an arson of the military registration and enlistment office. You are now saying that there were also tasks set by the curators to carry out some actions on the territory of Pridnestrovie. There was also a provocation against the Russian servicemen who are now in Pridnestrovie. What do you say, why do these people arrange provocations against the Russian military?
Viktor Savchenko, editor-in-chief of the First Pridnestrovian TV Channel:
And why else should we look for some Russian serviceman, who supposedly for some reason needed to be taken to Europe for a large sum, something to be done with him there?
Vadim Krasnoselsky, the PMR President:
You know, for me this fact is more terrible than the arson of the draft board. Purely politically, I'll explain why. By setting fire to the military registration and enlistment office, they attempted on a building, on an object, on a military object. It was a threat to the lives of those people who were inside, this is unequivocal, but nevertheless, this is a one-time action in this context of the military registration and enlistment office. As for the discrediting of Russian military personnel, peacekeeping forces, this is a completely different story, especially in the context that throughout Europe the territory of Pridnestrovie is recognized as a territory occupied by the Russian Federation. When all sorts of Moldovan politicians call for the withdrawal of Russian troops and peacekeepers from Pridnestrovie, you understand, this is already a provocation aimed at discrediting Russian military personnel with the aim of further attack, which will entail, as the organizers of this entire process probably intended, to squeeze out Russian military from the territory of Pridnestrovie. Let me remind you that not just the Russian military is here, but the joint peacekeeping forces are here, in accordance with the 1992 agreement. This agreement is valid, no one has withdrawn from it. So, on the basis of this agreement, starting from August 1992, peacekeepers – Russian, Pridnestrovian and Moldovan peacekeepers – are serving together. This format has not been canceled. As today shows, it is still necessary for stability in the region. The fact of stability here is evidenced by a number of facts. We did not have problems of this kind before the latest provocations. Not a single peacekeeper died during the defense of Pridnestrovie, that is the operation is effective. They are just trying to discredit it. Here is this performance, when this poor, unfortunate woman was brought in, then they dressed two citizens in Russian uniforms who testify. These are not just some strangers from the theater. These people were again found by the same Ivan through his network of agents. These people worked in Chisinau in a taxi service. They were found, they were offered to earn money, they were given two sets of Russian uniforms with chevrons of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation and the letter Z, and they were offered to perform an imitation of sexual actions with this woman. It's already, you know, a completely different story. This is what the leadership of Moldova needs to think about – what they generally encroach on. Unless they are interested in this, of course.
There are two options. Either the leadership of Moldova does not know what some power structures are doing, or they know and are trying to conceal. We will see. I invite to interact. Please, let's look, find accomplices, customers, answer why this is happening. At least for yourself, answer this question in order to exclude such provocative options in the future. An attempt by the Russian military to find and offer political asylum is also from there, also an attempt to discredit. To discredit the peacekeepers in the first place and the Russian armed forces in general. It is very dangerous indeed. For the peace (we are talking now about peace, about stability in the regional space), this action is more terrible than setting fire to a military registration and enlistment office, if you look at the global aspect.
We traditionally stand for peace definitely. If any of the Moldovan politicians think that we have a weak law enforcement or defense system, they are mistaken. We are capable of solving crimes, we have a good law enforcement network, we have a high detection rate, we have a well-established video recording network. This is clearly shown in the film-investigation by the way. We have all the technical capabilities, the professional capabilities of the personnel to solve virtually any crime. Remember, I said in my interview that we will solve these crimes? We will reveal other terrorist attacks that were committed on the territory of Pridnestrovie. We are already close to disclosure for many positions. But that's another part of our conversation.
I hope in general not only for peaceful phrases from the leadership of Moldova, I hope for peaceful actions. It is important.
Viktor Savchenko, editor-in-chief of the First Pridnestrovian TV Channel:
Vadim Nikolaevich, doesn't it turn out that Pridnestrovie will have more and more questions in the political dialogue with Chisinau? The situation is with the same medicines: they say in words that they will miss it, but they don’t. In words they declare about the world, in fact we see what we see in this film-investigation. With whom shall we conduct a dialogue in Moldova then? Or are we, calling on them to cooperate, so that they sort themselves out inside themselves, maybe we will help them put things in order and more fully conduct a dialogue with Pridnestrovie?
Vadim Krasnoselsky, the PMR President:
“We will help to restore order” is some kind of destructive wording. We should not help anyone, we can give the Moldavian prosecutor's office the opportunity to investigate and draw conclusions on these acts. This we can do. And let them impose order, law on their territory themselves - as best they can. They have a constitution, they have relevant laws, they have all the tools in their hands. The question is different. Do you want to do it or don't want to do it? We will definitely put things in order. There must be only one order - this is the law. The constitution and the law, which must be followed, is the order.
Igor Avrenev, editor-in-chief of TSV:
Vadim Nikolaevich, don't you think that Moldovan sensitive organs will be afraid to investigate that they are violators?
Vadim Krasnoselsky, the PMR President:
Time will show. First, we evaluate the willingness to participate in this process. And the second - when this desire is, we are already looking at the action. Time will put everything in its place. The most important thing is the facts. By and large, we process the facts in this case as well. Answering the question whether it is difficult or not difficult, I will emphasize: we should continue negotiations. And even this act of terrorism should not be an obstacle to the continuation of negotiations. No matter how difficult it is, you have to lead. When the negotiations end, the war begins. We don't need war, neither we nor Moldova need it. So what? We should continue negotiations.
I have already said that we have problems with the "5+2" format, the problems are absolutely objective. There is no "5+2" format, we are open to contact, we are ready to talk. We haven't classified the criminal case. What I am saying, that this is happening in the course of the investigation, we are all doing it openly, publicly, we invite you even with this acquaintance. Moreover, they say once again that we have found all the personal data of those who ordered this terrorist attack. We are ready to share information, please come and work with us.
Igor Avrenev, editor-in-chief of TSV:
You talk about openness, about peace, while at the same time there is a representative of the British Foreign Office saying that the allies and NATO, including the UK and the USA, are ready to supply weapons according to the NATO standard for the neutral country of Moldova. Grosu, who either covered up his special services or was not aware of the situation, said that it was not bad to strengthen neutrality in this way.
Vadim Krasnoselsky, the PMR President:
Any militarization of a state is a path to an escalation of the conflict, so talk about the armed forces of a neighboring state does not inspire optimism for a stable peace in the region. On the contrary, in my opinion, we should think not about armament, but about disarmament, about certain guarantees in order to preserve peace. A weapon still shoots sooner or later, it cannot just rust, as practice shows, a weapon always shoots.
If we recall the Georgian-Ossetian conflict of 2008, the Georgian-Abkhazian conflict. What did Saakashvili do before this president? He armed Georgia precisely with NATO. You remember, he held parades, drawing attention to the armed forces. Even then I had no doubt that there would be a war, because it is always done with intent.
There is also the Karabakh conflict, when one side built up its armed forces. War again. This is dangerous. Those politicians who say this, they simply do not recognize the essence. Where did they work? They have nothing to do with the gastric organs, the organs of protection. They are just politicians. They just say and are not responsible for this. Here it is necessary to think whether it is worth accepting this weapon at all and why. That's the question.
Viktor Savchenko, editor-in-chief of the First Pridnestrovian TV Channel:
Vadim Nikolayevich, taking into account the number of terrorist attacks that have occurred in Pridnestrovie recently, there are already eight, and taking into account the fact that people are afraid, worried, someone leaves at all, how safe can people feel in everyday life, especially given these new facts that are revealed? Some kind of sabotage groups, curators, people who come here and perform some tasks? Can people be calm? Can our law enforcement system protect them?
Vadim Krasnoselsky, the PMR President:
The terrorist attacks scare people, of course. An explosion, a shot, mining, arson - these are all emotional factors, they put pressure on the psyche. Someone decides to leave the territory of Pridnestrovie. Then they come back, of course. If we talk about numbers, not so many left, many returned. People are more afraid of speculation on the Internet. For example, well-known bloggers, couch strategists say that they know for sure that tomorrow there will be mobilization in Pridnestrovie, and that they know for sure that young people will not be allowed to leave the territory of Pridnestrovie. The explosion did not affect the mass exodus as much as these statements of armchair strategists. People left, young people left. We didn't hold them back. Please go. Then they returned. I initially told our citizens, the citizens of Pridnestrovie: do not believe these Internet provocateurs. Believe official statements. I will not deceive you, as it will be – I will tell you straight. When it's hard, I'll say it's hard. When it's easier, I'll say it's easier. All these insinuations of couch strategists - that this is all allegedly the FSB, this is all the MGB, this is all the 14th Army, these are all internal showdowns… With whom are the showdowns? What FSB? What are the facts? Just to chatter. And many believe, people believe, unfortunately. We were forced to show a film-investigation, in detail, with evidence, with people, with defendants, in order to break up all these provocations, false accusations against certain special services and reassure people.
I say it again. Dear citizens of Pridnestrovie, I have always been honest, I will always be frank with you. If it is difficult, I will tell you about it. Do not believe all sorts of couch speculators: they work for money, perform their functions in terms of creating a tense atmosphere in Pridnestrovie. Our law enforcement agencies (the Investigative Committee, the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the Ministry of State Security, the Prosecutor's Office) are able to stop and solve almost any crime. The Ministry of Defense, of course, is also ready to defend our state.
Moreover, I am convinced that mobilization does not need to be announced as such. I personally receive many calls from people who are ready to defend Pridnestrovie , who ask where to come and how to help. We don't need it at all.
The Pridnestrovian people have a core. The Pridnestrovian people have a great military history and good military genetics. Do you understand what the point is? There is such a core. We are ready to defend our home, our family, our land. You don't need to experiment. Is it really incomprehensible to someone that they have not come to any result by war, aggression, blockades, all kinds of detentions for thirty years. We must understand this and follow the path of peace. We tried to act this way for thirty years, but nothing happened - move on to another scenario, resolve issues, fulfill your previously signed agreements, and agree on other aspects of our economic and humanitarian relations. Let people work, live peacefully on this earth. That’s all. This is the path to peace, everything else is the path to aggression. Pridnestrovie is for Peace. We see no other normal, human way.
