Transnistria and how Russia is going to have to 'defend' it

Transnistria is back in the news. I had discussed this earlier in Putin's War as Alexander Lukashenko had stood next to a map that included its involvement in the war. Many thought that this was to indicate an invasion was to be launched from the Russian troops who occupy it, but I thought that it was to be 'liberated' in Putin's drive to create a Greater Russia. From what it appears, Transnistria is to be attacked, and Russia will have "no choice" but to defend it.

For those unaware, Transnistria was occupied by Russian forces as part of a ceasefire agreement in 1992 involving Moldova which it has declared independence from. This is of concern as Russian occupation also has taken place in Abkhazia and South Ossetia, both parts of Georgia, and what happens in one Frozen Conflict Zone may happen in another.