Economist: Russia Was Preparing An Anti-Ukrainian Revolt In Bessarabia

The Kremlin's plan failed.

Russia tried to tense Bessarabia and organize an anti-Ukrainian riot, but the residents of the region massively supported Ukraine, writes The economist.

At first, the residents of Bessarabia relied on Russia, but after the invasion of Ukraine, they completely changed their vector, the publication said.

“The region was poor, and many people thought that Putin could be their savior for historical and economic reasons.

But Russia's attempts to create problems on this strategic Ukrainian border have failed. Ukrainian forces thwarted attempts by Russian special forces to land troops at the beginning of the full-scale invasion in 2022, and security services arrested dozens of agents. Although the Russians damaged and closed one of the two bridges that connect Bessarabia with the rest of the country, they failed to close the other,” The Economist recalled.

Today, Bessarabia is flourishing: there is a ferry service that connects the region with Romania and the rest of Europe, wine tourism is developing, and the quality of roads has improved significantly.

Pro-Russian sentiment there declined after 2014 and collapsed after the Russian invasion in February 2022, writes The Economist, referring to the head of the Odesa Regional Administration Oleh Kiper.

"One of the reasons, according to him, is that, thanks to help from France, propaganda of the Russian satellite TV has been blocked there since 2015," he said.

Since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, Bessarabia has become a vital artery of Ukraine. Every day hundreds of trucks loaded with grain and other goods pass through here. They deliver vital goods for export to the Danube ports of Izmail and Reni," the newspaper writes.

Recall, according to Kiper, in 2023, cargo transhipment in the Odesa region increased by 15%, exceeding 50 million tons. This was mainly the export of agricultural products for such countries as Egypt, China, the United States, Tunisia, Spain, Italy, Greece, Turkey, Romania, Algeria, the Netherlands, Bulgaria, Pakistan, Belgium. Despite Russia's attempt to destroy the port infrastructure, the Odesa region remains stable and continues to supply food to the world, Kiper says.