Transnistria

{{hatnote|Looking for the country Transnistria legally belongs to? See [[Moldova]].}}
[[File:Transnistria_in_Europe_(zoomed).svg|thumb|right|195px|Map of Transnistria]]

<div class="navbox" style="float: right; clear:right; border: 2px solid silver; margin: 0 0 .5em .5em; width: 200px;">
<div style="background-color: #e7ece6; font-size: 15px; text-align: center; padding: .3em;">'''Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic'''<ref group=note>Yes, Transnistria has not one, but ''two'' official flags. The bottom one is very similar to the Russian flag, except it's wider and has brighter colors.</ref></div>
<center>[[File:Flag of Transnistria (state).svg|195px]]<br><br>[[File:Flag of Transnistria (Russian tricolour).svg|195px]]</center>
{| style="width: 200px;"
! colspan="2" style="text-align: center; background-color: #e8e7f2;" |'''Demographics'''
|-
|Population:
|347,251<ref>https://gov.md/ro/content/peste-338-mii-de-locuitori-din-regiunea-transnistreana-detin-cetatenia-republicii-moldova</ref>
|-
|GDP (million):
|1000<ref name=gdp>https://web.archive.org/web/20130616004647/http://www.vspmr.org/Upload/File/doklad2007.rar</ref>
|-
|GDP p/cap.:
|2000<ref name=gdp />
|}</div>

'''Transnistria''' or by its official name, '''Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic''' is an unrecognized breakaway state (within historical '''Pridnestrovie''')  that is a ''de jure'' portion of [[Moldova]]. However, Transnistria maintains ''de facto'' independence due to a ceasefire agreement signed by Moldova, [[Russia]] and the Transnistrian forces.<ref>[https://www.worldatlas.com/articles/where-is-transnistria.html World Atlas], Retrieved on March 16,2022.</ref> It has the dubious distinction of using the older Moldovan Cyrillic alphabet for writing the Romanian/Moldovan language instead of the standardized Latin alphabet.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20110929054421/http://www.demokratizatsiya.org/archives/pdfs/DEM%2002-02%20chinn.pdf Internet Archives], Retrieved on March 16, 2022.</ref> It is perhaps the closest thing to a modern remnant of the [[USSR]]. The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe has designated Transnistria as a "Russia occupied territory" instead of a "Russian influenced territory".<ref>[https://balkaninsight.com/2022/03/16/council-of-europe-designates-transnistria-russian-occupied-territory/ BalkanInsight], Retrieved on March 17, 2022.</ref> Even before the change in designation, Transnistria could be seen as a territory under illegal military occupation.

==History==

===Moldovan Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic days===

On October 12, 1924, the Moldovan Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic was founded in response to an uprising. This was also a means to bolster Soviet [[propaganda]] and possibly start a [[communist]] revolt in [[Romania]]. In 1940, the USSR annexed Bessarabia (area consisted of territory of modern Moldova and parts of southwestern [[Ukraine]]). However, when [[Romania]] turned fascist, things went horribly wrong for the Moldovan ASSR. Romania joined the [[Axis]] in [[World War 2]] and began the occupation of the Moldovan ASSR, most notably the area of Transnistria. Once World War 2 drew to a close, the USSR reclaimed the area.<ref>[https://www.detailedpedia.com/wiki-Moldavian_Soviet_Socialist_Republic detailedpedia], Retrieved on March 18, 2022.</ref>

As the USSR neared its end, the Pridnestrovian Moldavian Soviet Socialist Republic was established by the central government. The local government wanted to stay within the Soviet Union should Moldova unite with Romania or outright declare independence. When Moldova declared independence, the newly-formed nation claimed Transnistria as part of its territory. This created tensions between Moldova and the Transnistrian local government.<ref>[https://faroutmagazine.co.uk/transnistria-communism-never-died/ Far Out Magazine], Retrieved on March 18, 2022.</ref>

===Conflict with Moldova===

Originally part of the Moldovan Soviet Socialist Republic in the USSR, Transnistria was considered an integral part of the former Soviet Republic. Near the fall of the Soviet Union, the central government proposed a small state where Transnistria was back in 1988. However, when Moldova declared independence from the doomed Soviet Union, it claimed the area of Transnistria as part of its sovereign territory. The international community shared this view. Despite that, the ethnic [[Russia]]n population demanded their own country separate from Moldova. This began the {{wpl|Transnistria Conflict||.}}<ref>[https://www.filodiritto.com/conflict-transnistria-origins-history-and-prospects-resolution Filodritto], Retrieved on March 16, 2022.</ref> 

The first military action took place in the Cocieri-Dubăsari area near the Dniester River. On March 1, 1992, Igor Shipcenko, the PMR militia chief of Dubăsari, was killed by a teenager, and Moldovan police were accused of the killing. Although minor, this incident was a sufficient spark for the already very tense situation to blow up and cause the conflict to escalate. In response, Cossack regiments from the Caucasus region and the Russian military were brought in to fight against Moldova.<ref>[https://military-history.fandom.com/wiki/Transnistria_War Military Wiki], Retrieved on March 17, 2022.</ref> The Russians, Cossacks, and Transnistrians united against Moldova in the Transnistria War which lasted from 1990 to 1992. The end result was an ''[[ad hoc]]'' ceasefire. The start of Transnistria's unrecognized independence began in 1992.

===Possible Russian-Ukrainian conflict spillover===

{{messagebox|info|This section documents an ongoing military event. Information may change rapidly as the event progresses, and initial news reports may be unreliable. The latest updates to this article may not reflect the most current information.}}

In early 2022, the Russian Federation launched the ongoing invasion of Ukraine. Transnistria could play a potential role in a possible invasion of Moldova. Transnistria has 1400 Russian soldiers stationed in the region and its own soldiers, the ''Armed Forces of Transnistria''.<ref>[https://www.intellinews.com/ukraine-blows-up-bridge-to-transnistria-after-tiraspol-reasserts-its-independence-237137/ IntelliNews], Retreived on March 20, 2002.</ref> <ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20091104073203/http://pridnestrovie.net/armedforces.html Web Archive], Retrieved on March 20, 2022.</ref> As of 2 April 2022, Russia, after suffering major loses in Ukraine, is starting to redeploy troops into the occupied territory in order to likely regroup, although the Transnistrian and Russian governments deny this.<ref>[https://finance.yahoo.com/news/ukraine-u-sending-additional-military-065907883.html?fr=sycsrp_catchall Yahoo Finance], Retrieved on April 2, 2022.</ref>. As of 27 April 2022, the risk of Russian invasion and annexation has increased due to the fact that the Russian military has revealed their plans to invade Transnistria and even Moldova proper.<ref>[https://news.yahoo.com/just-sliver-land-between-moldova-201231855.html?fr=sycsrp_catchall Yahoo News], Retrieved April 27, 2022.</ref> In 2024 Russian occupation forces have been ramping up tensions in Moldova. The region has formally requested "[[Bullshit|protection]]" from a genocide. There is also talk of Russia staging a provocation by detonating an old ammunition depot that could create an explosion similar to a nuclear bomb. <ref>[https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.the-sun.com/news/10546592/putin-hiroshima-blast-land-grab-europe-russia-moldova-transnistria/amp/ The Sun], Retrieved on March 1, 2024.</ref> Putin's nuclear dick waving at it's finest.

==Politics==

The government of Transnistria is a semi-presidential republic with a Prime Minister who serves as the head of government. A portion of the Transnistrian code of law indicates the level of [[authoritarianism]] in the territory. 

{{quotebox|Article 1

1. The Government of the Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic is a public authority of the Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic.

2. The Government of the Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic exercises executive power in the Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic.

3. The Government of the Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic is a collegiate body heading the unified system of executive power in the Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic.

Article 2. Legal basis for the activities of the Government of the Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic

The Government of the Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic carries out its activities on the basis of the Constitution of the Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic, constitutional laws, laws and legal acts of the President of the Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic.

Article 3. Basic principles of activity of the Government of the Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic

The Government of the Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic in its activities is guided by the principles of the supremacy of the Constitution of the Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic, constitutional laws and laws, the principles of democracy, separation of powers, responsibility, transparency and ensuring the rights and freedoms of man and citizen.

Article 4

The Government of the Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic, within its powers, organizes the implementation of the Constitution of the Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic, constitutional laws, laws and legal acts of the President of the Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic, international treaties of the Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic, exercises systematic control over their execution by the executive bodies of state power, takes measures to eliminate violations of the current legislation of the Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic.

Article 5. System and structure of executive bodies of state power

1. The Chairman of the Government of the Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic submits proposals on the structure of the executive bodies of state power to the President of the Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic within a week after his appointment.

2. The system and structure of the executive bodies of state power is approved by the decree of the President of the Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic.<ref>[http://gov-pmr.org/about Transnistria Government], Retrieved on March 17, 2022 (translated from Romanian).</ref>}}

===Human rights situation===

Being a Russian puppet state, Transnistria has had a poor [[human rights]] record. People with [[disease]]s such as [[HIV]] were detained and placed into overcrowded [[prison]]s. These prisons have had outbreaks of tuberculosis; this was not helped by the fact that the prison cells were highly unsanitary. With the [[COVID-19 pandemic]], the virus had spread among inmates and staff. Many inmates were brutally tormented by the staff. Forms of [[torture]] include: [[Crimes against humanity|starvation, withholding of water, no bathrooms, beatings, psychological trauma, and sleep deprivation]]. The human rights abuses continue with the arbitrary arrest of anybody who speaks out against the corruption within the separatist government. In Transnistria, there is no freedom of the press, [[freedom of speech]], freedom of expression, or freedom of assembly. Freedom of movement is heavily restricted. [[Sexism]] is a very serious issue in the separatist-held territory; while [[rape]] is illegal, there must be substantial proof of it (the separatist government does not define what counts as substantial proof). [[Racism]] and [[ableism]] is a problem, as ethnic minorities and disabled people often face [[discrimination]].<ref>[https://www.state.gov/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/MOLDOVA-2020-HUMAN-RIGHTS-REPORT.pdf Moldova 2020 Human Rights Report], Retrieved on March 18, 2022.</ref>

===Freedom of religion===

All [[religion]]s are required to register with the government. Translation: [[Freedom of religion]] is extremely limited. The only religious groups that have the right to establish places of worship are [[Christianity|Christians]]. Not all Christian groups have been able to register; most notably, the [[Jehovah's Witnesses]] are not alloted this  freedom. [[Islam|Muslims]] and [[Judaism|Jews]] have faced persecution.<ref>[https://freedomhouse.org/country/transnistria/freedom-world/2021 Freedom House], Retrieved on March 21, 2022.</ref>

===Recognition===

The only places that recognize Transnistria as a nation are other unrecognized breakaway regions, specifically [[South Ossetia]] and [[Abkhazia]]. Each unrecognized country is viewed as ''de jure'' portions of other nations. Despite having a heavy Russian military presence, Russia does not recognize Transnistria as a sovereign nation.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20080511144044/http://pridnestrovie.net/foreignpolicy_full.html Web Archive], Retrieved on March 20, 2022.</ref> As of March 7, 2022, Transnistria sent an application to the Moldovan government requesting recognition of their independence.<ref>[https://actmedia.eu/daily/transnistria-requested-recognition-of-its-independence/96542 Actmedia], Retrieved on March 20, 2022.</ref> After Russia annexed Crimea in 2014, Transnistria and the other [[puppet state]]s that recognize the breakaway region also requested admission to the Russian Federation.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20210606115805/https://nsn.fm/policy/prilepin-prizval-prisoedinit-k-rossii-donbass-pridnestrove-i-karabah Web Archive], Retrieved on March 20, 2022 (Translated from Russian).</ref>

===Possible reunification with Moldova=== 

In light of Russia's failings in [[Ukraine]], the people of Transnistria have begun to lose faith in the Russian peace keepers in the separatist held territory. Government officials in the territory have even considered peace talks with Moldova <ref>[https://cepa.org/article/russias-imperial-dream-fades-in-transnistria/ CEPA], Retrieved on October 11, 2022.</ref>

==Economy==
The [[economy]], like its society, is a lingering piece of the old Soviet era. The economy is a mix of a [[command economy]] and [[free market]]. The GDP of Transnistria is about $223 million. Do note that their debt to other countries is over $3 billion. The only official source of the breakaway region's economy is fuels, law enforcement, and tourism.<ref>[http://aei.pitt.edu/58210/1/commentary_108.pdf University of Pittsburg], Retrieved on March 20, 2022.</ref> In reality, a major source of income has been smuggling,<ref>[https://globalsecurityreview.com/transnistria-no-longer-illegal-trade-hub/ Transnistria: No Longer an Illegal Trade Hub?] by Gabriella Gricius (Sep 24, 2019) ''Global Security Review''.</ref> with the country being described as a [[mafia]] state.<ref>[https://www.channel4.com/news/fear-football-and-torture-undercover-in-transnistria Fear, football and torture – undercover in Transnistria] (1 Apr 2014) ''Channel 4''.</ref><ref>[https://www.refworld.org/pdfid/418f804a4.pdf Moldova: Situation Analysis And Trend Assessment] by Argentina Gribincea & Mihai Grecu (October 2004) ''Writenet''.</ref>

===Issues with international trade===
Being internationally recognized as a Moldovan territory and thanks to an agreement between Transnistria and Moldova, trade is registered at a jointly-administered customs office. Transnistrian exports are not subject to Moldovan [[tax]] laws.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20070928010629/http://www.countrywatch.com/facts/facts_default.aspx?type=text&topic=SEMOT Web Archives], Retrieved on March 20, 2022.</ref> However, the local authorities did not honor the agreement. Moldovan officials are not allowed to enter the region. Shipping through Ukrainian borders is next to impossible due to their laws. Businesses registered with the Moldovan government have been largely spared the tedious border regulations.<ref>[https://globalsecurityreview.com/transnistria-no-longer-illegal-trade-hub/ globalsecurityreview], Retrieved on March 21, 2022.</ref> Transnistria has been a hub for black market shipping due to tight border regulations. While some things traded were legal to own, others were not. Notable illegal things shipped were weapons, drugs, and trafficked humans. However, the black market economy is slowly becoming less of a viable source of income.<ref>[https://foreignpolicy.com/2019/06/05/transnistria-isnt-the-smugglers-paradise-it-used-to-be-sheriff-moldova-ukraine-tiraspol/ Foreign Policy], Retrieved on March 21, 2022.</ref>

==Culture==

In terms of culture, Transnistria is essentially like the old Soviet Union.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20220321063712/https://cultureroadtravel.com/transnistria/practical-information/ Culture Road], Archived on March 21, 2022.</ref>

==Notes==
{{reflist|group=note}}

==References==
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[[Category:Europe]]
[[Category:Disputed countries]]
[[Category:Territorial disputes]]
[[Category:Imperialism]]
[[Category:Homophobia]]
[[Category:Transphobia]]
[[Category:History of communism]]

Categories: Europe, Disputed countries, Territorial disputes, Imperialism, Homophobia, Transphobia, History of communism