Kherson shelling and a Transnistria decree: regional news before 23 February 2023
Two reports from the days before 23 February 2023 pointed to pressure on Ukraine's south and on Moldova's breakaway region.
What did the regional picture look like on 23 February 2023? Two reports from the preceding days set the scene, one from southern Ukraine and one concerning Ukraine's neighbour Moldova.
On 21 February 2023, Russian forces shelled the city of Kherson. According to local officials, the attack killed at least six people and injured 12 others. The shelling was part of the Southern Ukraine campaign of Russia's 2022 invasion.
On 22 February 2023, Russian President Vladimir Putin revoked a 2012 foreign policy decree. The decree had underpinned Moldova's sovereignty in resolving the political status of the breakaway Transnistria region. The move touched on relations between Moldova and Russia, as well as between Russia and Transnistria.
Together, the two reports showed attention on the south of Ukraine and on the Moldovan border region in the days leading up to 23 February 2023.
