Foreign supporters of Vladimir Putin have begged for Russia to invade their country after a key Kremlin propaganda figure said it was part of their 'plan' to occupy it.
Pro-Russian separatists in Transnistria, a region of Moldova on the border with Ukraine, have called for the area to become part of the Russian nation-state as their own country begins discussions about entering the European Union.
The movement is headed by former president and close ally Igor Dodon, who has been labelled in media as “Putin’s mini-me” and the “the czar’s doormat.”
He has met the Russian leader on several occasions, and he was once even called his "personal jester" by the man himself at a meeting of the Eurasian Economic Summit.
Despite losing to pro-EU Maia Sandu in Moldova’s national elections in 2020 , Dodon remains a major presence on the political scene and led huge street protests against a law banning Putin symbols — such as the letter ‘Z’ — earlier this year.
He has since been placed under house arrest.
Renewed calls have also come after a recent interview by late night pro-kremlin TV host Vladimir Solovyov on Russian TV saw him accidentally 'reveal' Russia's strategy to occupy the region.
Pushed by an interviewer on Italian television, Mr Solovyov was asked: "If your aim is only the Donbas why are you not only attacking here?
"You also attack Kharkiv, you attack the South in order to reach Odesa.
"Where do you want to reach? What's your aim?"
To which he replied: "If to be precise to Transnistria, but let's come back to the..." before being cut off by the shocked journalist.
While the idea of Moldova joining Russia instead of the EU is a concept that seems bizarre to many Moldovans, some have welcomed the idea.
Speaking to the Daily Beast about the prospect of Russia invading his country, 36-year-old Anzhela, a teacher, said: "That would be great."
"Maybe then Russian gas will be cheaper for us."
