Moldova's pro-EU leaders have rejected Russian claims that Ukraine is planning to attack the country's breakaway pro-Russian territory, and called for calm.
Ednews.net reports citing foreign media that Russia's defence ministry alleged, with no evidence, that Ukrainian saboteurs would stage an invasion of Transnistria dressed as Russian soldiers as a pretext for a Ukrainian invasion.
Moldova has warned for weeks that Russia is plotting to seize power.
And officials rejected Russia's claims as "psy-ops" as part of the war.
"The defence ministry believes it is an element of a psychological operation rather than a real plan," said state secretary Valeriu Mija.
Moldovan President Maia Sandu, on a visit to neighbouring Romania, spoke of unprecedented security challenges ahead.
"Some wanted our country to fall and to install in Chisinau a puppet government enslaved to the interests of the Kremlin," she said.
Moldova is not part of Nato but last June it was awarded EU candidate status on the same day as Ukraine. Earlier this week the Moldovan leader met US President Joe Biden, who promised to support her country's sovereignty.