The Moldovan authorities haven’t been consulted about the possibility of endowing the Russian peacekeepers with helicopters. Reintegration Office head George Balan has told IPN that the recent media reports about the equipment of the Russian peacekeepers with helicopters was a supposition of a Russian journalist who said that the helicopter flights may be resumed in the Security Zone in the future.

George Balan said such a decision is taken only with the consent of the Moldovan authorities, after holding discussions within the Joint Control Commission. But no such proposal was made in the commission’s meetings. However, one of the sides may raise such an issue in the future.

As to the position of the Moldovan authorities, George Balan said it remained unchanged – helicopters and armored tanks are not necessary in the Security Zone. The situation is calm and there should be identified solutions to peacefully resolve the Transnistrian conflict.

Recently, a Russian TV channel reported that the Russian peacekeepers may patrol the administrative line in the Security Zone with helicopters and that the Transnistrian administration welcomed this initiative.