Recently, the fact-free statements of Russian Federation officials on supposedly complete blockade of the unrecognized Transnistrian Moldovan Republic by

Recently, the fact-free statements of Russian Federation officials on supposedly complete blockade of the unrecognized Transnistrian Moldovan Republic by Ukrainian border guards have increased. Such statements contain blatantly false information and are intended to misinform the public, of Russian Federation foremost, on the events in Ukraine and potentially contribute to further destabilization of the situation in the southern regions of the country.

In turn, the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine reports that border checks of people, vehicles and goods at the border with Moldova (within Transnistrian sector) are performed in the increased variant, nevertheless there were no obstacles or restrictions put in on crossing the border.  In March, the State Border Service of Ukraine point out a general decrease by 30% in passenger traffic and by 26% of vehicles traffic on the Transnistrian border sector in comparison with March year earlier. In total, the border was crossed by almost 250 000 persons and over 70 000 vehicles. Detailed analysis of the citizenship of persons who crossed the border with Moldova (via Transnistrian sector) gives grounds to suggest the decrease in passenger traffic that is mainly due to the citizens of Ukraine. In the last month, the border crossings by Ukrainians to/from Transnistria decreased by 34% in comparison with March year earlier. The percentage of Russian citizens here decreased by only 12%.

At the same time, 293 persons were refused to enter Ukraine at this border sector over the period. That is 26 % more than in March, 2013 (232 persons). Unconfirmed purpose of travel and the lack of sufficient financial provision to stay in Ukraine were among the main reasons for entry refusals.

Dynamics of crossing the border by trucks and buses in March also decreased by 23% and amounted to more than 11 000 trucks and 3 500 buses.  There were no cases of apprehensions or entry refusals of vehicles with goods at Transnistrian border sector of the Republic of Moldova.

In fact, there are no any evidences which confirm the blockade of the unrecognized Transnistrian Moldovan Republic and creating additional restrictions for border crossing by persons, vehicles and goods.