Moldavian enclave is encircled by pro-Russian soldiers during the Ukraine war.

A massive Soviet-era munitions dump is being guarded by hundreds of Russian troops in Transnistria, a breakaway territory of Moldova, not far from the southern border of Ukraine.

A massive Soviet-era munitions dump is being guarded by hundreds of Russian troops in Transnistria, a breakaway territory of Moldova, not far from the southern border of Ukraine.

The world is paying closer attention to this depot, these soldiers, and this pro-Russian separatist territory.

Russia, Ukraine, and Moldova have all been accused of plotting to destabilize Moldova in recent weeks, and there have been concerns that another crisis could break out in this region. 

In response to President Maia Sandu's fears that Moscow is preparing to overthrow her pro-Western government, Moldova's Prime Minister Dorin Recean has argued that Russian forces should be ejected from the area.

The prospect of a "false flag" strike by Ukrainian forces has been emphasized by Moscow, which has also warned that any attack on its troops in Transnistria will be viewed as an attack on Russia itself.

Numerous observers in the West have noted that Transnistria might give Moscow another way into Ukraine, diverting Ukrainian forces from other fronts of conflict. 

Transnistria, which has been ruled by pro-Russian separatists since the end of Moldova's civil war in 1992, is therefore being closely observed both internationally and by people who are much closer to home. 

The village of Molovata Noua is heavily threatened by the rumors of a new conflict. 

This is a tiny Moldovan outpost that is wedged between Transnistrian territory and the rest of Moldova, which is divided by the River Dneister. 

Residents of Molovata Noua feel entirely exposed, much like Chisinau inhabitants do. 

Several of the elder males in this area fought pro-Russian rebels 30 years ago for this territory. They are now unsure of whether they will engage in combat here.

He said, "We're fortunate that Ukraine is protecting us right now, but if it starts in Moldova, we're prepared to defend this region again. 

Like they did thirty years prior, their car convoy enters hostile territory by traveling along the empty dirt road from Molovata Noua into the separatist pro-Russian region. 

Vlad growls as his car reaches the Russian checkpoint, "Look how they stare at us. 

A group of armed troops watch the caravan as it transports men wearing military uniforms from Moldova into separatist territory while turning a blind eye to this arresting yearly tradition. 

That was all a battlefield, Vlad continues, "look around you." This is where we fought. 

Currently, a small dirt road that is surrounded on both sides by silence cuts

Since the start of the war in Ukraine, the economic gap with the rest of the nation has gotten wider. Last year, Moscow cut off gas shipments to Moldova. 

Oleg Gazea, the mayor of Molovata Noua, said to me, "I'll be honest. Since gas is so much cheaper in Moldova, it is quite difficult to persuade people that life is better there. 

"They will ask us: "Are you crazy," if we urge them to cross the river and pay 30 times more for their bills while also talking about freedom and a better life. But the cheap gas comes with a hidden cost: it buys their support." 

Several locals are adamant that Moscow poses not a military threat but rather an economic one.