Transnistria (Pridnestrovie, the Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic, or PMR) is a mostly Russian breakaway state in Moldova. The unrecognised country has been independent from Moldova since the 1990 Transnistria War after the collapse of the Soviet Union. Tiraspol, the micronation's capital, is East of the Dniester river between Ukraine and Moldova. The rogue state has been supported by Russia since it declared independence, and some say it's like a mini USSR left behind after the Cold War.
I cycled through Moldova to Chisinau, and explored this relic of the USSR, where there's still a “House of Soviets” and statues of Lenin dotting the streets. I spoke to someone who lived in Tiraspol, Pridnestrovie, to find out what life was like there.
Where is Transnistria?
Transnistria is a strip of land mostly on the Eastern side of the Dniester river. It’s 20km across at its narrowest point, and stretches along Moldova’s Eastern border with Ukraine.
Is Transnistria Russian?
A plurality of the population is Russian, many want to unify with Russia, and Russia supports Transnistria, covering some pension payments for Transnistrian citizens, but it is not part of Russia.
Who lives in Transnistria?
The PMR population is around 469,000. About 25% live in Tiraspol, the capital of Transnistria. The largest population demographics are Russians, Ukrainians, and Moldovans. In Tiraspol, 41% of the population identifies as Russian, 32% as Ukrainian, and 18% as Moldovan. This is very different to the rest of Moldova, where Moldovans are in the majority.
Why does Transnistria have different names?
In the West, the region is known as Transnistria, but since that name was popularised during the Axis occupation of Moldova in WWII, it is considered offensive by some locals. So, some prefer the name “Pridnestrovie”, the “Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic”, or the “PMR”.
Is Pridnestrovie communist?
It feels like a relic of the USSR, and there are statues of Vladimir Lenin everywhere you look, but the PMR is not communist. It’s current government espouses Transnistrian nationalism and economic liberalism.
Who controls Transnistria?
UN restrictions and instability prevent much foreign investment in Transnistria, so a local monopoly, “Sheriff”, has managed to take over swathes of Transnistria’s industry and business. It was started by Viktor Gushan and Ilya Kazmaly, former KGB agents, and now has incredible influence over the courts and local politics. Sheriff-backed political candidates currently have a super-majority in the Supreme Soviet (or supreme council - Transnistria’s government building). A Sheriff-backed candidate, Vadim Krasnoselski, also serves as Transnistria’s President.
How independent is the PMR and does Moldova control Transnistria at all?
Pridnestrovie has its own currency, the “Transnistria ruble”, national flag - the only flag in the world that still displays the communist hammer and sickle - its own military, and it’s own Transnistria passports. The Transnistrian army is made of 5,000 active troops and with 20,000 reserves. Alongside the army of Pridnestrovie, there are around 1,500 Russian peacekeepers stationed across the Moldovan border, preventing further fighting from taking place.
It's independent from Moldova, and there are no Moldovan authorities in the country. But without Russia’s support for Transnistria, it’s unlikely it would be able to defend its borders alone and remain independent.
What is the history of Transnistria?
Eastern Europe's history is full of shifting borders; Transnistria became autonomous in 1924, while Moldova was part of Romania. Occupied by the Romanian army in WWII as the “Transnistria Governate”, Transnistria was retaken by the Soviet red army in 1944. In the 1980s, a surge of Pro-Romanian nationalism led to tensions between Moldovan nationalists and Russian and Ukrainian populations, as well as the Gagauz.
In 1990, Transnistria declared independence, triggering the Transnistria war (AKA the Pridnestrovie war), which lasted from 1990-1992, killing 1,000 people and injuring 3,000 more.
What is Transnistria’s main religion?
91% of the Transnistrian population are Eastern Orthodox Christians and 4% are Roman Catholics, thanks to a Polish minority that lives mostly in the North of the PMR.
Why is Transnistria not a recognised country, and who recognises Transnistria as a nation?
Transnistria is not recognised by any UN member states. As it's aligned with Russia, it’s unlikely the West would recognise it, but it’s also not in Russia’s interest to recognised it, as that would push Moldova to align more with Western Europe (currently, Moldova isn’t aligned with the EU or Russia).
00:00-04.35 - Welcome to Moldova
04:35-12:15 - Transnistria: the Country that Doesn't Exist
12:15-15:17 - Why Do People Miss the Soviet Union?
15:17-15:29 - Final Thoughts
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