They have the problem of the Russian 14th army parked in Transnistria. Although Russians promised to leave already over 20 years ago they didn’t and kindly asking them to fuck off now is likely not going to work.
This move in Moldova is to strengthen Transniztria’s rear so it can take part in the planned multiprong attack on Ukraine from Russia in the east, Crimea and the Black Sea in the south, and Belarus in the north. This might happen as early as Feb. 24th, or in March when Putin had said last year he wanted to retire.
The west better hurry up and get its shxx in order, send in as much heavy missiles, and transport it can or suffer the consequences. Too bad jets and Abrams take so much training to be handled by troops in the field. But maybe some Ukraine soldiers are already trained and delivery will actually be quicker so as to confound the Russians when their big push starts.
Actually given Russian failures with logistics, troop training and resupply, and road conditions, they may be in much worse shape than they realize anyway. The fact Wagner is asking for American recruits and trying so hard to take Backhmut, and no longer conscripting Russian convicts seems to have the seeds of failure already planted.
How the Turkish/Syrian earthquake disasters will affect all this has not yet been factored in.
IIRC they have no more than a motor rifle regiment plus Interior Ministry people there.
And I doubt they are full strength even so. They have no outlet to the Black Sea. No logistics. And Russia is in no position to make a landing, so no reinforcements.
I figure some Uke militia should suffice to fend them off.