War of Transnistria
Map of Moldova and Transnistria
Date 1992 Location Moldova Result de facto independence of Transnistria
Combatants
Transnistria  Russian volunteers Ukrainian volunteers 14 Russian Army Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... De facto is a Latin expression that means in fact or in practice. It is commonly used as opposed to de jure (meaning by law) when referring to matters of law or governance or technique (such as standards), that are found in the common experience as created or developed without... Image File history File links Flag_of_Transnistria. ... For the region during the Second World War, see Transnistria (World War II). ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Russia. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Ukraine. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Russia. ... 14th Army involvement in the conflict in Transnistria was extensive and contributed to the outcome, which left the Pridnestrovian Moldovan Republic with de facto independence from the Republic of Moldova. ...	Moldova
Casualties
823 Transnistrians[1], 90 Cossacks[2], and an unknown number of other casualties	279 combatants[3], ~400 civilians [citation needed]

The War of Transnistria involved armed clashes on a limited scale that broke out between PMR Republican Guard, militia and Cossack units, supported by the Russian 14th army, and Moldovan policemen/troops as early as November 1990 at Dubăsari (Russian: Дубоссáры, Dubossary). Fighting intensified out of local incidents on 1 March 1992, with the accession of newly independent Moldova into UN, and alternated by ad hoc cease-fires, lasted throughout spring and early summer 1992 until a ceasefire that same year (21 July), which has held ever since. Image File history File links Flag_of_Moldova. ... This article needs cleanup. ... Combatants Republic of Nagorno-Karabakh1 Republic of Armenia 2 CIS mercenaries Republic of Azerbaijan Afghan Mujahideen 3 Chechen Volunteers 4 CIS mercenaries Commanders Samvel Babayan, Hemayag Haroyan, Monte Melkonian, Vazgen Sargsyan, Arkady Ter-Tatevosyan Ä°sgandar Hamidov, Suret Huseynov, Rahim Gaziev, Shamil Basayev Casualties 6,000 dead, 25,000 wounded 17... Combatants Ossetian Separatists Russian Forces1 The National Guard of Georgia Casualties ~2,000 dead?, unknown wounded ~800 dead?, unknown wounded 1Involvement Disputed The War in South Ossetia was fought from 1991 to 1992 between Georgia and S. Ossetian separatists. ... For the war in 1998, see War in Abkhazia (1998). ... Ossetian-Ingush conflict - armed conflict between Ossetian and Ingush people in Prigorodny District, region of North Ossetia-Alania, started in 1992. ... Combatants Russian Federation Chechen Republic of Ichkeria Commanders Pavel Grachev Anatoly Kulikov Konstantin Pulikovsky Anatoliy Romanov Vyacheslav Tikhomirov Gennady Troshev Dzhokhar Dudayev  â€  Aslan Maskhadov Strength (December 11, 1994) Up to 50,000 soldiers and Interior Ministry (MVD) (December 11, 1994) 3,000 to 15,000[1] Casualties Military: At least... Combatants Abkhaz military Georgian insurgents Commanders Sergei Bagapsh (MoD) Unknown Strength ~1,500 ~300 The May 1998 War in Abkhazia took place in the Gali district, Abkhazia after ethnic Georgians launched an insurgency against the Abkhaz secessionist government. ... Combatants Russian Federation Daghestani militia Chechen rebels Shura of Dagestan Commanders Viktor Kazantsev Shamil Basayev Ibn al-Khattab Strength 17,000 2000 Casualties At least 279 dead and 987 wounded 1000 killed, wounded or captured The War in Dagestan (in Russia called by the name Chechen invasion of Dagestan) began... Combatants Russian Federation Pro-Russian Chechens Republic of Ichkeria Caucasian insurgents and foreign fighters Commanders Vladimir Putin Akhmad Kadyrov† Ramzan Kadyrov Aslan Maskhadov† Abdul Halim Sadulayev† Doku Umarov Shamil Basayev† Strength At least 93,000 in Chechnya in 1999. ... For the region during the Second World War, see Transnistria (World War II). ... Dubăsari (Russian: Дубоссары / Dubossary) is a town in eastern Moldova with a 2005 population of 49,000. ... This article is about the United Nations, for other uses of UN see UN (disambiguation) Official languages English, French, Spanish, Russian, Chinese, Arabic Secretary-General Kofi Annan (since 1997) Established October 24, 1945 Member states 191 Headquarters New York City, NY, USA Official site http://www. ...

Historical background

Before the Soviet occupation of Bessarabia and Northern Bukovina and the creation of the Moldavian SSR in 1940, the Bessarabian part of Moldova, i.e. to the west of the Dniester (Nistru) river, was part of Romania (1918-1940). The Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact between the Soviet Union and the Nazi Germany, that led to the events of 1940, was later denounced by present-day Moldova which declared it "null and void" in its Declaration of Independence in 1991. However, the territorial changes resulting from it have remained in place. On June 28, 1940 Bessarabia and northern Bukovina were occupied by the Soviet Union. ... State motto: Пролетарь дин тоате цэриле, униць-вэ! Official language None. ... Year 1940 (MCMXL) was a leap year starting on Monday (link will display the full 1940 calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... 1927 map of Bessarabia from Charles Upson Clarks book Bessarabia (Basarabia in Romanian, Бесарабія in Ukrainian, Бессарабия in Russian, Бесарабия in Bulgarian, Besarabya in Turkish) is a historical term for the geographic entity in Eastern Europe bounded by the Dniester River on the East and the Prut River on the West. ... The Dniester (Ukrainian: translit. ... Molotov signs the German-Soviet non-aggression pact. ... Nazi Germany, or the Third Reich, commonly refers to Germany in the years 1933–1945, when it was under the firm control of the totalitarian and fascist ideology of the Nazi Party, with the Führer Adolf Hitler as dictator. ...

Before the creation of the Moldavian SSR, today's Transnistria was part of Ukrainian SSR, as an autonomous republic called the Moldovan Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic, with Tiraspol as its capital. State motto: Пролетарь дин тоате цэриле, униць-вэ! Official language None. ... State motto: Пролетарі всіх країн, єднайтеся! Official language None. ... Moldavian ASSR or Moldovan ASSR (Moldavian Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic; Romanian: Republica Autonomă Socialistă Sovietică Moldovenească) was an autonomous region of the Ukrainian SSR between 12 October 1924 and 2 August 1940, encompassing Transnistria (now in Moldova) and parts which are now in Ukraine. ... County Transnistria Status Municipality/Capital Mayor Viktor Kostyrko, since 2003 Area 85 km² Population (2005) 159 163 Geographical coordinates 46°51′ N 29°38′ E Web site http://www. ...

Political background

During the last years of the 1980s, the political landscape of the Soviet Union was changing due to Mikhail Gorbachev's policies of perestroika and glasnost, which allowed some political liberalization at the regional (republican) level. In the Moldavian SSR, as in many other not primarily Russian parts of the Soviet Union, national revival became the leading political force. Some Russians, however, viewed this tendency as exclusivist nationalism. This displeasure with the new trends and potential future policies was manifested in a more visible way in Transnistria, where, unlike the rest of the MSSR, ethnic Moldovans (39.9%) were outnumbered by a Slavic majority of Russians and Ukrainians (53.8%) as per the 1989 Census in Transnistria, and which experienced higher immigration during the Soviet Era. Mikhail Sergeyevich Gorbachev (Russian: ), surname more accurately romanized as Gorbachyov; (born 2 March 1931) is a Russian politician. ... This article or section does not cite any references or sources. ... //   (Russian: IPA: ) is politics of maximal openness, transparency of activity of all official (governmental) institutes, and freedom of information. ... Distribution of major ethnic groups in the Moldavian SSR, 1989 The 1989 Census in Transnistria was organized by the authorities of the MSSR in the final days of its existence as a Soviet republic. ...

From September 1989, there were strong scenes of protests in the region against the central government's moves towards national revival/nationalism.^[4] While some believe that the combination of a distinct history (especially 1918-1940), and a fear of discrimination by Moldovans, gave rise to separatist sentiments, others believe that genuine ethnic tensions fail to completely account for the dynamics of the conflict. According to John Mackinlay and Peter Cross who effectuated a study based on casualty reports, significant numbers of both Transnistrians and Moldovans fought together on both sides of the conflict. They suggest that the conflict is more political in nature.^[5]

On 31 August 1989, the Supreme Soviet of the Moldavian SSR enacted two laws. One of them made Moldovan language the official language, in lieu of the Russian, which remained at the moment official in the Soviet Union as a whole. It also mentions a linguistic Moldo-Romanian identity. The second law stipulated the return to the Latin Romanian alphabet. Moldovan language is the term used in the former Soviet Union for a virtually identical dialect of the Romanian language during 1940-1989. is the 243rd day of the year (244th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1989 (MCMLXXXIX) was a common year starting on Sunday (link displays 1989 Gregorian calendar). ... Moldovan (also Moldavian) is the official name for the Romanian language in the Republic of Moldova and in its breakaway territory of Transnistria. ... The Latin alphabet, also called the Roman alphabet, is the most widely used alphabetic writing system in the world today. ... Note: This page or section contains IPA phonetic symbols in Unicode. ... Romanian (limba română, IPA: ) is a Romance language spoken by around 24 to 28 million people[1], primarily in Romania and Moldova. ...

On 27 April 1990, the Supreme Soviet of the Moldavian SSR adopted the traditional tricolour (blue, yellow and red) flag with the Moldavian coat of arms, and changed the national anthem to Deşteaptă-te, române!, the 1848 revolution song that was also Romania's national anthem before 1946, and after 1989. Later that year (1990) the words Soviet and Socialist were dropped, and the name of the country became the "Republic of Moldova". These events, as well as the end of the Communist rule in neighboring Romania in December 1989, and the partial opening of the border between Romania and Moldova on 6 May 1990, led many in Transnistria and Moldova to believe that a union between Moldova and Romania was soon possible, ending them inside Romania, where they could no longer demand the return to Russian as the official language. At the time of the war, it was widely believed on both sides that Moldova would, in the near future, most likely reunite with Romania leaving the Russian population alienated. April 27 is the 117th day of the year (118th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar, with 248 days remaining. ... Year 1990 (MCMXC) was a common year starting on Monday (link displays the 1990 Gregorian calendar). ... DeÅŸteaptă-te, române (variously translated as Awaken thee, Romanian!, Awaken, Romanian!, or Wake Up, Romanian!) is Romanias national anthem. ... Year 1848 (MDCCCXLVIII) was a leap year starting on Saturday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian Calendar (or a leap year starting on Monday of the 12-day slower Julian calendar). ... Year 1946 (MCMXLVI) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link will display full 1946 calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... 1989 is a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 126th day of the year (127th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1990 (MCMXC) was a common year starting on Monday (link displays the 1990 Gregorian calendar). ... For the region during the Second World War, see Transnistria (World War II). ...

Timeline of events before the war

Concern has been expressed that this article or section is missing information about: Initiatives of the Moldovan government. This concern has been noted on the talk page where it may be discussed whether or not to include such information.

• 30 December 1988: In Chişinău, with the help of A. Bolshakov, the manager of "Tocilmaş" factory from Tiraspol, an organisation, "Interdvizhenie", is formed. This was later renamed "Edinstvo", a movement with the aim of defending the interests of Russian-speakers living in Moldova. This movement was against adopting Moldovan (Romanian) as the single official language, Latin script for Moldovan and later supported Transnistrian independence.
• 15 July 1990: Anatoly Lukyanov, chairman of the Supreme Soviet in Moscow, sends a letter written by Transnistrian and Gagauzian separatists to Izvestia (a widely read Russian newspaper).
• August 1990: Moldovan SSR refused to participate in the referendum for the retention of the Soviet Union, but in the Gagauz and Transnistrian regions - and with the help of Soviet 14th Army (according to an agreement between A. Lukianov and Igor Smirnov) - a referendum is organised.
• 2 September 1990: The Pridnestrovian Moldavian SSR is proclaimed in Tiraspol as a Soviet Republic in its own right, separate from Moldova. The Soviet government does not recognize it.
• 16 September 1990: A meeting protesting against separatism is held in the village of Lunga, near Dubăsari.^[6]
• 2 November 1990: The bridges over the Dniester are blocked by PMSSR supporters. At the bridge near Dubăsari, clashes are reported between the Moldovan police (who wanted to open the bridge) and civilians supporting the PMSSR. Moldovan forces open fire at the PMSSR supporters, causing 3 deaths and several wounded. Two of the dead are ethnic Moldavians, who supported the PMSSR. The third, also a PMSSR supporter, is an ethnic Ukrainian.^[7]. According another source, one of the victim was a pro-Moldova supporter shot from an unit of Russian 14th Army from Dubasari, as he carried the Moldovan flag^[8].
• 12 March 1991: Based on the order of V. C. Bogdanov, a place tenant on the Tiraspol city Executive Committee, a 200-strong military unit is formed, with weapons and ammunition received from the Soviet Army. The same developments happened in Tighina (Bendery), Dubăsari (Dubossary) and Rîbniţa (Rybnitsa).
• May 1991: The Moldovan government of Mircea Druc, a coalition between the Moldovan Popular Front and the reformist wing of the Communist party, is dismissed. Moldovan Popular Front enters opposition.
• May 1991: The Supreme Soviet of the PMSSR orders all policemen from the Transnistrian territory to obey the PMSSR authorities. A PMSSR Ministry of Interior and Prosecutor's Office is also formed.
• 19 August 1991: The PMSSR government proclaims a state of emergency in Tiraspol and Tighina. Dniester guards are patrolling the cities and roads are blocked. PMSSR leaders ask the local population to support the coup which was underway in Moscow.
• Several PMSSR officials, including Igor Smirnov and G. Pologov, are arrested. They are later freed.
• 27 August 1991: Moldova declares its independence and formally secedes from the Soviet Union. The PMSSR continues to regard itself as a part of the Soviet Union until the USSR ceases to exist on 31 December 1991, after which the Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic has regarded itself as an independent country in its own right.
• 6 and 18 September 1991: The PMSSR government orders all Soviet military units in the region to obey the jurisdiction of the Pridnestrovian Moldavian SSR.
• 10-20 September 1991: On the initiative of the Odessa military district leadership a general assembly of Soviet Army officers and non-commissioned officers in Transnistria is held. On this occasion, an agreement is expressed to give support to the Pridnestrovian Moldavian SSR, regardless of Moscow's orders.
• 11 September 1991: The Russian military unit 03517 from Rîbniţa (Rybnitsa) decides to defend the PMSSR.
• 19 September 1991:A Police unit in Rîbniţa is captured by PMSSR forces.
• 22 September 1991: A Police unit in Camenca (Kamenka) is captured by PMSSR forces.
• 2 October 1991: Tiraspol city Executive Committee issues a decision asking the local police force to refuse to obey Moldovan authorities.
• 16 October 1991: At Dubăsari, an explosion occurs at the police station, where the local police unit is still loyal to the Moldovan government.
• 8 November 1991: The newspaper Nezavismaya Moldova publishes facts about human rights abuses in Transnistria: namely, explosions and burning of the homes of people who refused to accept the jurisdiction of the PMSSR, threats against the family of policeman Vladimir Colesnic (the second in command of the Dubăsari police unit which refused to accept the authority of the PMSSR government) and the situation of the refugees.
• 15 November 1991: In Tighina and Dubăsari people are forbidden to subscribe to Romanian-language newspapers from Chişinău.
• 19 November 1991: Weaponry and ammunition is transferred from the 14th Soviet Army unit to the PMSSR security forces.
• 21 November 1991: PMSSR authorities forbid local businesses to collaborate with the Moldovan National Bank.
• 26-30 November 1991: PMSSR guard units in Rîbniţa (Rybnitsa) receive weapons and ammunition from the 14th Soviet Army unit based at Colbasna.
• 27 November 1991: In the local authority's building in Teia village (Grigoriopol district) 6 people from Tiraspol (2 with automatic guns) forced the local authority to organise a voting process for the PMSSR presidential elections. The same situation occurs in other areas in Transnistria.
• 27 November 1991: A delegation from the International Helsinki Comitee for Human Rights visit Moldova. Igor Smirnov refused to participate in the meeting in Tiraspol with the foreign visitors.
• 27 November 1991: Trudovoi Tiraspol, a newspaper run by OSTK, publishes a list with the names and addresses of Moldovan policemen from Transnistria who refuse to obey the PMSSR authorities and ask for reprisals against them.
• 1 December 1991: A group of around 20-25 people (6 of them with automatic guns) enter the village of Mălăieşti in Grigoriopol district and petition the election officials on behalf of the PMSSR authorities. However, local villagers refused to participate in elections. Meanwhile, the same incidents occur in Speia, Butor and Taşlîc.
• 1-5 December 1991: All the bridges over Dniester are blocked by PMSSR supporters.
• 5 December 1991: Viktor Malik, an assistant at the Soviet Union's Ministry of the Interior, (in an interview with "Nezavisimaia Moldova") reveals that the result of research done by the Soviet Union's Prosecutor's Office - regarding the events in 2 November 1990 in Dubăsari - shows that PMSSR authorities acted unlawfully and Moldovan police acted within legal limits.
• 6 December 1991: PMSSR security forces order the Slobozia police unit to accept the jurisdiction of the PMSSR. The commander of this police unit is beaten and he is prevented from accessing his local force.
• 6 December 1991: PMSSR guards open fire on a car belonging to the Moldovan police at the bridge over Dniester at Gura Bîcului. The policeman, N. Dociu, is wounded.
• 8 December 1991: L. Toderaş, the prosecutor of Tighina city, is arrested by the PMSSR security forces and interrogated at OSTK.
• 8 December 1991: 700 PMSSR guards and cossacks, armed with bren guns, armoured carriers and grenade throwers (and all received from Russian 14th Army) mass at the outskirts of Dubăsari. The police receive an ultimatum to swear allegiance to the PMSSR.
• 9 December 1991: A police unit from Tighina are visited by a group representing PMSSR authorities (headed by Kogut from Tiraspol) and inform the local commandant, V. Gusleacov, that he is being dismissed from his position. The separatists also ask him to give them the keys and all relevant documents to the newly appointed police chief. Gusleacov refused, and the police unit was then surrounded by PMSSR guards. Some policemen who came to this incident are subsequently arrested and disarmed. The building housing the local Transport Police is subsequently attacked and all the vehicles are confiscated. The local police are later aided by people from nearby villages such as Varniţa, Chircăieşti, Ursoaia, Firladani and the PMR guard unit was forced to withdraw.
• 10 December 1991: Near the village Lunga, 5 PMSSR guards stopped a car with policeman A. Ismailov inside. The guards then take Ismailov out of the car, beat him and confiscate his gun.
• 10 December 1991: S. Trocin and V. Oprea are arrested in Tighina and kept imprisoned for several days in a basement simply because they spoke Romanian in a Sovetskaia street.
• 11 December 1991: Presidential elections are held in the area controlled by the Pridnestrovian Moldavian SSR.
• On the night of 12 to 13 December 1991: The Police section in Dubăsari is besieged by PMSSR forces. 35 policemen are in the building and are all threatened with death.
• 13 December 1991: A group of policemen is sent to assist the besieged Dubăsari police station but they are attacked with bren guns. 4 policemen are killed in this incident; Ghenadie Iablocikin, Mihail Arnăut, Valentin Mereniuc and Gheorghe Caşu.
• 13 December 1991: At Tighina, a reporter from Moldovan television is arrested and his camera confiscated. He will later be freed following the intervention of the Moldovan police.
• 14 December 1991: In Dubăsari, shots are fired at electrician A. Terentiev and against a truck belonging to the regional Soviet, which had refused to submit to the jurisdiction of the PMSSR. The truck driver, V. Chiriac, and his passenger, are wounded.
• 14 December 1991: Policemen S. Lopatiuc and V. Dorofenco are arrested by PMSSR security forces. They are later hospitalized after being beaten.
• 14 December 1991: The newspaper "Druzhba" from Grigoriopol, which voiced opinions against separatism, is closed by the PMSSR authorities. A local radio station is also attacked.
• 15 December 1991: The Moldovan president, Mircea Snegur, meets with Igor Smirnov.
• 21 December 1991: Igor Smirnov is made an honorary cossack.
• 27 December 1991: Access to the building of the regional Soviet of Dubăsari (which had refused to submit to PMSSR jurisdiction) is blocked by the PMSSR authorities.
• 31 December 1991: The Soviet Union ceases to exist. Transnistria, which had formally seceded from the Moldovan SSR and constituted itself as the separate de facto Pridnestrovian Moldavian SSR on 2 September 1990, becomes a de facto independent country under the name of the Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic.
• 3 January 1992: The building housing the KGB unit at Tighina is occupied by PMR security forces.
• 3 January 1992: The mayor of Varniţa, A. Cuconescu, and several other people are arrested in Varniţa Town Hall and are taken to Tiraspol where are interrogated and threatened with prison. They are later freed after a request from Moldovan authorities.
• 6 January: On the road between Dubăsari and Rîbniţa 6 armed Transnistrian guards captured Moldovan policemen P. Frecăuţan and H. Adam. They are then forced to leave the region with their families and are threatened with death if they refuse.
• 9 January 1992: A 70 men strong PMR unit attacked a column of trucks from military unit 07481, which transported weapons from Hlinaia (Grigoriopol district) to Chişinău. Trucks, weapons and ammunition are all captured by the PMR forces.
• 12 January 1992: PMR guards open fire on a car belonging to Moldovan police in Dubăsari. 2 people, policemen S. Ţîstoi and a passenger, are wounded. In another incident at Dubăsari, another 2 people are wounded, policeman S. Manole and G. Damaschin.
• 13 January 1992: E. Martin and V. Plămădeală are shot and wounded by PMR guards at an exit point from Dubăsari.
• 15 January 1992: 2 policemen and a woman are wounded when gunfire is opened on a Moldovan police car.
• 22 January 1992: The prosecutor of Tighina, L. Toderaş, is arrested again. Following discussions with the Moldovan police he will later be freed.
• 25 January 1992: L. Toderaş, prosecutor of Tighina, is arrested yet again. His family and colleagues are also threatened.
• 29 January 1992: PMR militia arrest a group of drunken cossacks in Tiraspol. The headquarters of this militia is then blocked by a committee of local women. The cossacks are later freed.
• 30 January 1992: There are attacks against several units of the Moldovan police in Tighina. 39 policemen are arrested. The Transport Police section is stormed and the building later set on fire. 18 guns and 6 cars are stolen.
• 31 January 1992: 4 policemen are arrested in Tighina and subsequently beaten.
• 1 February 1992: F. Ţurcan is killed at a check-point by PMR guards in Lunga, a village near Dubăsari. Turcan's car was fired on despite responding to a request from the PMr guards to stop his vehicle.
• 2 February 1992: Also at Lunga, policeman V. Rusu is wounded after his car was stopped by 18 separatists guards.
• 4 February 1992: The deputy of the Tighina Police unit, A. Corolicov, and police officer O. Pavliuc are arrested when they returned from duty. They are subsequently beaten and their weapons confiscated.
• 12 February 1992: The medical nursery school Tighina is closed by PMR authorities.
• 14 February 1992: People from Transnistria are heading to Moscow to inform public opinion about human rights abuses in Transnistria.
• 19 February 1992: The Customs building in Dubăsari is attacked by PMR forces and customs officers are beaten. Their weapons are later confiscated.
• 20 February 1992: A protest demonstration is held in Lunga, near Dubăsari, against a referendum organised in the village by the PMR authorities. The demonstration is later broken up by force. The protesters are fired on and tear gas used against them. The order to use force against the protesters was made by Alexandru Porojan, a PMR official from Dubăsari.
• 21 February 1992: In Slobozia, the bank accounts of 2 schools which refused to accept the legitimacy of the PMR authorities, are closed.
• 22 February 1992: Military unit 01002 is attacked by PMR forces. 95 officers and soldiers were ambushed and driven to a bridge over the Dniester river. They are then told to go to Chişinău on foot.
• 29 February 1992: Unknown assailants armed with automatic guns stop a car near Dubova, and kill the driver, N. Boiniceanu. Another person is wounded. All the passengers are also robbed in this incident.^[9]

Image File history File links Emblem-important. ... is the 364th day of the year (365th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1988 (MCMLXXXVIII) was a leap year starting on Friday (link displays 1988 Gregorian calendar). ... is the 196th day of the year (197th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1990 (MCMXC) was a common year starting on Monday (link displays the 1990 Gregorian calendar). ... Anatoly Lukyanov Anatoly Ivanovich Lukyanov (Russian: Анатолий Иванович Лукьянов) (born 7 May 1930 in Smolensk) is a Russian Communist politician who was the Chairman of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR between 15 March 1990 and 22 August 1991. ... Modern Izvestia logo Old Izvestia logo. ... is the 245th day of the year (246th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1990 (MCMXC) was a common year starting on Monday (link displays the 1990 Gregorian calendar). ... is the 71st day of the year (72nd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1991 (MCMXCI) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link will display the 1991 Gregorian calendar). ... is the 231st day of the year (232nd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1991 (MCMXCI) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link will display the 1991 Gregorian calendar). ... is the 239th day of the year (240th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1991 (MCMXCI) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link will display the 1991 Gregorian calendar). ... is the 261st day of the year (262nd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1991 (MCMXCI) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link will display the 1991 Gregorian calendar). ... is the 254th day of the year (255th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1991 (MCMXCI) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link will display the 1991 Gregorian calendar). ... is the 262nd day of the year (263rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1991 (MCMXCI) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link will display the 1991 Gregorian calendar). ... is the 265th day of the year (266th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1991 (MCMXCI) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link will display the 1991 Gregorian calendar). ... is the 275th day of the year (276th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1991 (MCMXCI) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link will display the 1991 Gregorian calendar). ... is the 289th day of the year (290th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1991 (MCMXCI) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link will display the 1991 Gregorian calendar). ... is the 312th day of the year (313th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1991 (MCMXCI) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link will display the 1991 Gregorian calendar). ... is the 319th day of the year (320th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1991 (MCMXCI) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link will display the 1991 Gregorian calendar). ... is the 323rd day of the year (324th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1991 (MCMXCI) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link will display the 1991 Gregorian calendar). ... is the 325th day of the year (326th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1991 (MCMXCI) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link will display the 1991 Gregorian calendar). ... is the 331st day of the year (332nd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1991 (MCMXCI) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link will display the 1991 Gregorian calendar). ... is the 331st day of the year (332nd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1991 (MCMXCI) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link will display the 1991 Gregorian calendar). ... is the 331st day of the year (332nd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1991 (MCMXCI) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link will display the 1991 Gregorian calendar). ... is the 335th day of the year (336th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1991 (MCMXCI) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link will display the 1991 Gregorian calendar). ... is the 339th day of the year (340th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1991 (MCMXCI) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link will display the 1991 Gregorian calendar). ... is the 306th day of the year (307th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1990 (MCMXC) was a common year starting on Monday (link displays the 1990 Gregorian calendar). ... December 6 is the 340th day of the year (341st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1991 (MCMXCI) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link will display the 1991 Gregorian calendar). ... December 6 is the 340th day of the year (341st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1991 (MCMXCI) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link will display the 1991 Gregorian calendar). ... is the 342nd day of the year (343rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1991 (MCMXCI) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link will display the 1991 Gregorian calendar). ... is the 342nd day of the year (343rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1991 (MCMXCI) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link will display the 1991 Gregorian calendar). ... is the 343rd day of the year (344th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1991 (MCMXCI) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link will display the 1991 Gregorian calendar). ... Varniţa may refer to several villages in Romania: Varniţa, a village in Şiştarovăţ Commune, Arad County Varniţa, a village in Şirna Commune, Prahova County Varniţa, a village in Răcoasa Commune, Vrancea County and a village in Moldova: Varniţa, a village in Raionul Anenii... Ursoaia may refer to several villages in Romania: Ursoaia, a village in Cotmeana Commune, Argeş County Ursoaia, a village in Negri Commune, Bacău County Ursoaia, a village in Vipereşti Commune, Buzău County Ursoaia, a village in Argetoaia Commune, Dolj County Ursoaia, a village in Negomir Commune, Gorj... is the 344th day of the year (345th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1991 (MCMXCI) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link will display the 1991 Gregorian calendar). ... The Lunga River is the name of two rivers in Zambia: a tributary of the Kafue River and also a tributary of the Kabompo River. ... is the 344th day of the year (345th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1991 (MCMXCI) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link will display the 1991 Gregorian calendar). ... December 11 is the 345th day of the year (346th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1991 (MCMXCI) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link will display the 1991 Gregorian calendar). ... is the 347th day of the year (348th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1991 (MCMXCI) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link will display the 1991 Gregorian calendar). ... is the 347th day of the year (348th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1991 (MCMXCI) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link will display the 1991 Gregorian calendar). ... is the 347th day of the year (348th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1991 (MCMXCI) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link will display the 1991 Gregorian calendar). ... is the 348th day of the year (349th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1991 (MCMXCI) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link will display the 1991 Gregorian calendar). ... is the 348th day of the year (349th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1991 (MCMXCI) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link will display the 1991 Gregorian calendar). ... is the 348th day of the year (349th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1991 (MCMXCI) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link will display the 1991 Gregorian calendar). ... is the 349th day of the year (350th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1991 (MCMXCI) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link will display the 1991 Gregorian calendar). ... is the 355th day of the year (356th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1991 (MCMXCI) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link will display the 1991 Gregorian calendar). ... December 27 is the 361st day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (362nd in leap years). ... Year 1991 (MCMXCI) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link will display the 1991 Gregorian calendar). ... is the 365th day of the year (366th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1991 (MCMXCI) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link will display the 1991 Gregorian calendar). ... is the 3rd day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1992 (MCMXCII) was a leap year starting on Wednesday (link will display full 1992 Gregorian calendar). ... is the 3rd day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1992 (MCMXCII) was a leap year starting on Wednesday (link will display full 1992 Gregorian calendar). ... is the 6th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 9th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1992 (MCMXCII) was a leap year starting on Wednesday (link will display full 1992 Gregorian calendar). ... is the 12th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1992 (MCMXCII) was a leap year starting on Wednesday (link will display full 1992 Gregorian calendar). ... January 13 is the 13th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1992 (MCMXCII) was a leap year starting on Wednesday (link will display full 1992 Gregorian calendar). ... is the 15th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1992 (MCMXCII) was a leap year starting on Wednesday (link will display full 1992 Gregorian calendar). ... is the 22nd day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1992 (MCMXCII) was a leap year starting on Wednesday (link will display full 1992 Gregorian calendar). ... is the 25th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1992 (MCMXCII) was a leap year starting on Wednesday (link will display full 1992 Gregorian calendar). ... is the 29th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1992 (MCMXCII) was a leap year starting on Wednesday (link will display full 1992 Gregorian calendar). ... is the 30th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1992 (MCMXCII) was a leap year starting on Wednesday (link will display full 1992 Gregorian calendar). ... is the 31st day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1992 (MCMXCII) was a leap year starting on Wednesday (link will display full 1992 Gregorian calendar). ... is the 33rd day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1992 (MCMXCII) was a leap year starting on Wednesday (link will display full 1992 Gregorian calendar). ... is the 35th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1992 (MCMXCII) was a leap year starting on Wednesday (link will display full 1992 Gregorian calendar). ... is the 43rd day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1992 (MCMXCII) was a leap year starting on Wednesday (link will display full 1992 Gregorian calendar). ... is the 45th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1992 (MCMXCII) was a leap year starting on Wednesday (link will display full 1992 Gregorian calendar). ... [[Media:Italic text]]{| style=float:right; |- | |- | |} is the 50th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1992 (MCMXCII) was a leap year starting on Wednesday (link will display full 1992 Gregorian calendar). ... is the 51st day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1992 (MCMXCII) was a leap year starting on Wednesday (link will display full 1992 Gregorian calendar). ... is the 52nd day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1992 (MCMXCII) was a leap year starting on Wednesday (link will display full 1992 Gregorian calendar). ... is the 53rd day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1992 (MCMXCII) was a leap year starting on Wednesday (link will display full 1992 Gregorian calendar). ...

Political conflict

The language laws presented a particularly volatile issue as a great proportion of the non-Moldovan population of the Moldavian SSR did not speak - Moldovan (Romanian). The problem of the official language in the MSSR had become a Gordian knot, being exaggerated and, perhaps, intentionally politicized. Some described the language laws as "discriminatory" and criticized their rapid implementation. Others, on the contrary, complained the laws were not followed. State motto: Пролетарь дин тоате цэриле, униць-вэ! Official language None. ... State motto: Пролетарь дин тоате цэриле, униць-вэ! Official language None. ... Alexander cuts the Gordian Knot, by Jean-Simon Berthélemy (1743–1811) The Gordian Knot is a legend associated with Alexander the Great. ...

The different historic background prior to 1940, the different ethnic background, the social composition (up to 1/3 of inhabitants of Transnistria were recent migrants from other regions of the former USSR, with which (regions) they felt a closer connection), the socio-economic background (more industrial and skilled workers in Transnistria than in Moldova proper), and the political background (different power basis), gave rise to separatist sentiments.

Although not yet independent, Transnistria's protests against the central government were increasingly accompanied by moves towards more autonomy and self government of local affairs. The first operation by the special forces of the Moldovan police were launched against separatists in Dubăsari on 12 June 1990, in response to local moves that would effectively cut off parts of Transnistria from the central government. is the 163rd day of the year (164th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1990 (MCMXC) was a common year starting on Monday (link displays the 1990 Gregorian calendar). ...

On 2 September 1990, the Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic was proclaimed; "Pridnestrovie" being the name for Transnistria in Russian. On 22 December 1990 the president Mikhail Gorbachev signed a decree that declared void the decisions of the Second congress of people deputies of Transnistria from September 2. For two months, Moldovan authorities refrained from taking armed action against this proclamation. Transnistria became one of the "unrecognized republics" that appeared throughout USSR, alongside Abkhazia, South Ossetia, Nagorno-Karabakh. The events leading to the de facto separation of the former three were very similar, and many speculated they were simply a product of the old Soviet apparatus trying to "punish" the distantiation of Moldova and Georgia. Despite the fact that no country has recognized them, all four successfully survive until today. These four de facto states maintain official relations only with each other. is the 245th day of the year (246th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1990 (MCMXC) was a common year starting on Monday (link displays the 1990 Gregorian calendar). ... is the 356th day of the year (357th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1990 (MCMXC) was a common year starting on Monday (link displays the 1990 Gregorian calendar). ... Mikhail Sergeyevich Gorbachev (Russian: ), surname more accurately romanized as Gorbachyov; (born 2 March 1931) is a Russian politician. ... is the 245th day of the year (246th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Capital Sokhumi Official languages Abkhaz, Georgian Government  -  Chairman, Cabinet of Ministers  -  Chairman, Supreme Council Temur Mzhavia Autonomous republic of Georgia  -  Georgian independence Declared Recognised 9 April 1991 25 December 1991  Currency Georgian lari (GEL) Anthem Aiaaira Capital Sukhumi Official languages Abkhaz, Russian1 Government  -  President Sergei Bagapsh  -  Prime Minister Alexander Ankvab... Anthem unknown Capital Tskhinvali Official languages Ossetian1 Government  -  President Eduard Kokoity  -  Prime Minister Yury Morozov De facto independence from Georgia  -  Declared November 28, 1991   -  Recognition none  Currency Russian ruble (RUB) Russian in widespread use by government and other institutions. ... Nagorno-Karabakh (Azerbaijani: Dağlıq Qarabağ or Yuxarı Qarabağ, literally mountainous black garden or upper black garden; Russian: Нагорный Карабах, translit. ... De facto is a Latin expression that means in fact or in practice. It is commonly used as opposed to de jure (meaning by law) when referring to matters of law or governance or technique (such as standards), that are found in the common experience as created or developed without...

In the aftermath of the failure of the Soviet coup attempt of 1991, on 27 August 1991, the Moldovan parliament adopted the Declaration of Independence of the Republic of Moldova. The declaration specifically referred to the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact as null and void, and called for the political and legal consequences of the above be eliminated, declaring, among other facts, that the merger of Transnistria and the previous Romanian west-bank Moldova to have been an act of occupation and absent of any real legal basis.^[10] The PMR side interpreted this as meaning that the 1940-merger of the two sides of the Dniester river was dissolved. Moldova, however, did not agree, as large portions of the territory occupied in 1940 by USSR remain in Ukraine, and almost immediately took steps to assert its sovereignty over the full territory of the now-former MSSR. During the Soviet Coup of 1991 (August 19-22, 1991), also known as the August Putsch or August Coup, a group of members of the Soviet government briefly deposed Soviet president Mikhail Gorbachev and attempted to take control of the country. ... is the 239th day of the year (240th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1991 (MCMXCI) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link will display the 1991 Gregorian calendar). ... Year 1940 (MCMXL) was a leap year starting on Monday (link will display the full 1940 calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ...

At that time, the Republic of Moldova did not have its own army and the first attempts to create one took place in early 1992 in response to the beginning of the War of Transnistria. The newly independent Moldovan parliament asked the defunct government of the USSR "to begin negotiations with the Moldovan government in order to put an end to the illegal occupation of the Republic of Moldova and withdraw Soviet troops from Moldovan territory". The introduction of this article does not provide enough context for readers unfamiliar with the subject to understand later context. ...

When, on 29 August 1991, Transnistria's independence leader Igor Smirnov and three other deputies arrived in Kiev, the capital of Ukraine, to meet the Ukrainian leader Leonid Kravchuk. Smirnov and Andrei Cheban were arrested by Moldova's police, and immediately transported to a prison in Moldova. As a protest, the women's strike committee headed by Galina Andreeva blocked the Moscow-Chişinău railway line at a waypoint between Tighina and Tiraspol, until the arrested were freed by the president of Moldova Mircea Snegur in an uninspired attempt to quell the spirits. is the 241st day of the year (242nd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1991 (MCMXCI) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link will display the 1991 Gregorian calendar). ... Igor Nikolaevich Smirnov (Russian: ), (b. ... Map of Ukraine with Kiev highlighted Coordinates: , Country Ukraine Oblast Kiev City Municipality Raion Municipality Government  - Mayor Leonid Chernovetskyi Elevation 179 m (587 ft) Population (2006)  - City 4,450,968  - Density 3,299/km² (8,544. ... Leonid Kravchuk in Kiev, August 1992 Leonid Makarovych Kravchuk (Ukrainian: Леонід Макарович Кравчук born 10 January 1934) is a Ukrainian politician. ... Tighina or Bender (Russian: ; Moldovan Cyrillic: Тигина) is a city in Transnistria, the breakaway region of Moldova. ... County Transnistria Status Municipality/Capital Mayor Viktor Kostyrko, since 2003 Area 85 km² Population (2005) 159 163 Geographical coordinates 46°51′ N 29°38′ E Web site http://www. ... Mircea Ion Snegur (b. ...

In late 1991, the policemen in Tiraspol and Ribnita swore allegiance to the PMR.

Military strength

In 1992, Moldova had troops under the Ministry of the Interior. On 17 March 1992, they started recruiting troops for the newly created Ministry of Defence.^[11] By July 1992, total Moldovan troop strength has been estimated at 25-35,000 people, including called-up policemen, reservists and volunteers, especially but not only from the Moldavian villages near the conflict zone. On the Transnistria side, there have been alegations that in addition to Soviet weaponry inherited upon independence, Moldova also obtained arms from Romania.^{[citation needed]}

At the same time, the Russian Army in Moldovan territory numbered about 14,000 professional soldiers. The PMR authorities had 9,000 militiamen trained and armed by officers of the 14th Army. In addition, there were 5,000-6,000 Russian volunteers^{[citation needed]} who came forward after an appeal was made on Russian television for fighters to go to Transnistria to support the cause. These volunteers came from all over the Russian Federation: a number of Don, Kuban, Orenburg, Sibir, and local Transnistrian Black Sea Cossacks joined in to fight alongside the separatists. Due to the irregular makeup of the forces, troop strength of the PMR is in dispute, but it is generally accepted that it was as large, if not larger, than the Moldovan forces, as shown by the fact that the PMR forces were able to repel Moldova in the fighting near Tighina and partially near Dubǎsari.

Forces of the 14th Army (which had owed allegiance to the USSR, CIS and the Russian Federation in turn) stationed in Transnistria, had fought with and on behalf of the PMR forces.^[12][13] A significant portion of the personnel of the Russian 14th Army were local conscripts and officers that had been given local residence. PMR units were able to arm themselves with weapons taken from the stores of the former 14th Army. The Russian troops chose not to oppose the PMR units who had come to help themselves from the Army’s stores; on the contrary, in many cases they helped the PMR troops equip themselves by handing over weapons and by opening up the ammunition stores to them.  Member state  Associate member Headquarters Minsk, Belarus Working language Russian Type Commonwealth Membership 11 member states 1 associate member Leaders  -  Executive Secretary Viktor Yanukovych Establishment December 21, 1991 Website http://cis. ...

In December 1991, the Moldovan authorities arrested Lieutenant-General Yakovlev in Ukrainian territory, accusing him of helping the PMR forces to arm themselves by using the weapons stocks of the 14th Army. At that time, General Yakovlev has been both Commander of the 14th Army and "Head of the National Defence and Security Department" of the PMR. The government of the Russian Federation interceded with the Moldovan government to obtain the release of General Yakovlev in exchange for 26 policemen detained by PMR forces at the start of the fighting in Dubăsari.

On 5 April 1992, Vice-President Rutskoy of Russia, in a speech delivered to 5,000 people in Tiraspol, encouraged the Transnistrian people to obtain their independence. is the 95th day of the year (96th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1992 (MCMXCII) was a leap year starting on Wednesday (link will display full 1992 Gregorian calendar). ... Aleksandr Vladimirovich Rutskoy (ru: Александр Владимирович Руцкой)(born September 16, 1945, Kursk, Russia) was a Soviet military officer and a Russian politician. ... County Transnistria Status Municipality/Capital Mayor Viktor Kostyrko, since 2003 Area 85 km² Population (2005) 159 163 Geographical coordinates 46°51′ N 29°38′ E Web site http://www. ...

Military conflict

The first fatalities in the emerging conflict took place on November 2, 1990, on the two-month anniversary of the PMR's September 2, 1990 declaration of independence. News agency New Region reported that Moldovan forces entered Dubăsari in order to separate Transnistria in two halves. They were stopped by the city's inhabitants who had blocked the bridge over Dniester, at Lunga village near Dubăsari, and Moldovan forces opened fire in their attempt to proceed over the bridge.^[14] In the course of the confrontation, three Dubăsari locals, Oleg Geletiuk, Vladimir Gotkas and Valerie Mitsuls, were killed by the Moldovan forces and sixteen people wounded.^[15] is the 306th day of the year (307th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1990 (MCMXC) was a common year starting on Monday (link displays the 1990 Gregorian calendar). ... The Lunga River is the name of two rivers in Zambia: a tributary of the Kafue River and also a tributary of the Kabompo River. ...

A second Moldovan attempt to cross the Lunga bridge took place on December 13, 1991. As a result of the fighting, 27 PMR troops were taken prisoner and 4 Moldovan troops (Ghenadie Iablocikin, Gheorghe Caşu, Valentin Mereniuk and Mihai Arnăut) were killed,^[16] without Moldova being able to cross the bridge. After this second failed attempt, there was a lull in military activity until March 2, 1992, considered the official start date of the War of Transnistria. is the 61st day of the year (62nd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1992 (MCMXCII) was a leap year starting on Wednesday (link will display full 1992 Gregorian calendar). ...

The armed conflict lasted from March 2 to July 21, 1992, in three areas along the Dniester river. The start date of the conflict, March 2, 1992, was the same day when Moldova was admitted as a member of the United Nations, i.e. got full international recognition of its August 27, 1991 declaration of independence. is the 61st day of the year (62nd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 202nd day of the year (203rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1992 (MCMXCII) was a leap year starting on Wednesday (link will display full 1992 Gregorian calendar). ... The Dniester (Ukrainian: translit. ... is the 61st day of the year (62nd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1992 (MCMXCII) was a leap year starting on Wednesday (link will display full 1992 Gregorian calendar). ... UN and U.N. redirect here. ... is the 239th day of the year (240th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1991 (MCMXCI) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link will display the 1991 Gregorian calendar). ...

With the PMR's overwhelming military superiority, Moldova had little chance of achieving victory and the fighting was unpopular with the skeptical Moldovan population.^[17]

Cocieri-Dubăsari area

The first area of military action was on the left shore of the Dniester river, from north to south, the villages of Molovata Nouă, Cocieri (approx 6,000 inhabitants), Corjova, and the city of Dubăsari (approx 30,000 inhabitants), together forming a contiguous mainly inhabited area 10-12 km along the shore. The only connection to the right bank from the three villages is either a ferry, or two bridges in Dubăsari. Cocieri is a village in the Republic of Moldova, located on the eastern bank of the Dniester River, along with Transnistria. ... Corjova is a village located in Dubăsari district, in the Transnistrian part of the Republic of Moldova. ... Dubăsari (Russian: Дубоссары / Dubossary) is a town in eastern Moldova with a 2005 population of 49,000. ...

On 1 March 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 the events succeeded in a cascade. is the 60th day of the year (61st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1992 (MCMXCII) was a leap year starting on Wednesday (link will display full 1992 Gregorian calendar). ...

In response, the Cossacks who came from Rostov on Don to support the PMR side stormed the police precinct in Dubăsari during the night. Moldovan president Mircea Snegur, afraid of starting an armed conflict, ordered the 26 policemen to surrender to the attacking Cossacks and PMR forces. They were later exchanged for Lieutenant-General Yakovlev. Moldovan policemen loyal to Chişinău from the Dubăsari raion (district), instead of returning to work in the occupied precinct in Dubăsari, now a milice precinct, gathered in Cocieri. Central market near Nativity Cathedral. ... Mircea Ion Snegur (b. ... Status Municipality Founded 1436 Area 635 km² Population (2004) 647,513 [1] - density 1,114 inh/km² - rank 1st Localities (total): 35 - cities 7 - communes 12 - unincorporated 16 Mayor Dorin Chirtoacă, since 2007 Council 51 members, since 2007 - Party of Communists of the Republic of Moldova 16 - Liberal Party (Moldova...

On 2 March 1992, locals from Cocieri, after hearing about the situation in Dubăsari, broke into the small local arms depot to arm themselves against the PMR side. 3 locals (Alexandru Luchianov from Cocieri, Alexandru Gazea from Molovata and Mihai Nour from Roghi) were killed, but the military unit from Cocieri was defeated by the Moldovans. The officers and their families were forced to leave the village.^[18] More policemen were ferried the following days from the right bank of the Dniester. They organized a defense line around the three villages, while PMR forces retained control of Dubăsari. In the following weeks both PMR and Moldovan forces amassed large numbers in the area and fought a trench war, with intermittent cease-fires. is the 61st day of the year (62nd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1992 (MCMXCII) was a leap year starting on Wednesday (link will display full 1992 Gregorian calendar). ...

Coşniţa area

A similar development occurred on March 13 in the villages of Coşniţa, Pîrîta, Pohrebea and Doroţcaia. A second "bridge-head" was formed on the left bank, now south of Dubăsari. is the 72nd day of the year (73rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ...

Tighina (Bender) area

A cease-fire was in negotiation during June in the Tighina (Bender) area. However, the full scale conflict re-erupted after regular Moldovan forces entered the city of Tighina (Bender) in an attempt to reestablish the authority of Moldova there. It has been reported that this action was a response to the stand-off at the police station in Tighina on 19 June 1992. On the afternoon of that day, the Moldovan police in Tighina arrested the 14th Army's Major Yermakov on suspicion of a planned subversion. After his arrest, PMR guards opened fire on the police station. The Moldovan government ordered its troops to enter the city the following morning. Urban warfare ensued between the two sides in the densely populated city. In the course of combat actions in Tighina there were casualties among civilian population. Tighina or Bender (Russian: ; Moldovan Cyrillic: Тигина) is a city in Transnistria, the breakaway region of Moldova. ... Tighina or Bender (Russian: ; Moldovan Cyrillic: Тигина) is a city in Transnistria, the breakaway region of Moldova. ... is the 170th day of the year (171st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1992 (MCMXCII) was a leap year starting on Wednesday (link will display full 1992 Gregorian calendar). ...

The news of the havoc in Tighina reached Tiraspol, only 11 km away, as Moldovan troops were approaching the crucial bridge over the Dniester. At this point, having the support of ROG's tanks, the Transnistrian Republican Guard and Cossack volunteers rushed to confront the Moldovan forces. The Vice-President Rutskoy of the Russian Federation, in a speech delivered on the main channel of the Russian (former Soviet) television, called for all Russian forces in Tiraspol to storm Tighina (Bender). In the course of the following days, parts of the city of Tighina (Bender), including the center, were retaken by PMR forces. The Dniester (Ukrainian: translit. ... For other uses, see Cossack (disambiguation). ...

Human rights abuses by both sides

According to eye-witnesses in Russian media, the Moldovan troops were firing at houses, courtyards and cars from heavy machine-guns mounted on armored vehicles. It was reported that in the daytime, June 20, Moldovan troopers were shooting at civilians who were hiding in their houses, trying to flee the city or help wounded (PMR) national guards. Eye-witnesses testified that, on that day, a group of unarmed men, having gathered in a downtown square on the call of the pro-PMR Executive Committee, were fired at from machine-guns. Eye-witnesses in Moldovan media testified and produced similar accusation directed at the other side. ^{[citation needed]} is the 171st day of the year (172nd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ...

On many occasions, fire was opened at ambulance cars. The sides accused each other of such actions. Doctors testified in Russian media that heavy fire from the positions of Moldovan forces, June 19-20, prevented them from giving help to the wounded.^[19]

Involvement of the Russian Army

main article 14th Army involvement in Transnistria 14th Army involvement in the conflict in Transnistria was extensive and contributed to the outcome, which left the Pridnestrovian Moldovan Republic with de facto independence from the Republic of Moldova. ...

Although the Russian army officially took the position that it did not involve itself and that its actions were limited to actions aimed at stopping the fighting, the reality was different. Many officers sided with the PMR security forces and some even defected in order to help the PMR side openly. ROG Parcani sapper battalion, under the orders of General Butkevich, went over to the PMR side. It was this Parcani battalion which destroyed the bridges at Dubăsari, Gura Bâcului-Bâcioc and Coşniţa. Moldovan forces used aircraft in the village of Parcani (Parkani) and shelled the ROG station which meant engaging not just PMR but also Russian forces.

Involvement of Romania

The Romanian army supplied weapons and other military hardware to Moldova.^{[dubious – discuss]}

Ceasefire and Joint Control Commission

A cease-fire agreement was signed on 21 July. This official document whose broad lines was established by the Russian side, was signed by the presidents of Russia (Boris Yeltsin) and Moldova (Mircea Snegur). The agreement provided for peacekeeping forces charged with ensuring observance of the ceasefire and security arrangements, composed of five Russian battalions, three Moldovan battalions and two PMR battalions under the orders of a joint military command structure, the Joint Control Commission or JCC. is the 202nd day of the year (203rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... “Yeltsin” redirects here. ... Mircea Ion Snegur (b. ... The Joint Control Commission (JCC), (Russian initials: OKK) is a tri-lateral peacekeeping force and joint military command structure which operates in a buffer zone on the border between the Republic of Moldova and the disputed territory of Transnistria. ... A Jewish Community Center is a general recreational, social and fraternal organization serving the Jewish community in a number of cities. ...

It is estimated that in total nearly one thousand people have been killed in the conflict, with the number of wounded approaching 3,000. Unlike many other post-Soviet conflicts, IDP's (internally displaced persons) did not reach large numbers in the war of Transnistria.

Days after the truce had been agreed upon, a military confrontation between a local self-defence unit and the Moldovan army, took place in Gîsca (Gyska), a village with an ethnic Russian majority near Tighina (Bender). At least three villagers were killed. During the combat, civil buildings were damaged or destroyed by artillery fire. Later reports of ceasefire violations have been brought under control with no known loss of human lives. Gîsca (meaning goose in Moldovan; Romanian: Gîsca, Russian form: Gyska) is a village near Bender in Bessarabia. ...

The Russian 14th Army's role in the area was crucial to the outcome of the war. The Moldovan army's position of inferiority prevented it from gaining control of Transnistria. Russia has since disbanded the 14th army and reduced troop strength in Transnistria to a corps of around 1,300 men who form part of the Joint Control Commission. The Joint Control Commission (JCC), (Russian initials: OKK) is a tri-lateral peacekeeping force and joint military command structure which operates in a buffer zone on the border between the Republic of Moldova and the disputed territory of Transnistria. ...

See also

• Conflict in Transnistria and Gagauzia
• 14th Army involvement in Transnistria
• History of Transnistria

Conflict in Transnistria and Gagauzia refers to the inter-ethnic tensions in the regions of Transnistria and Gagauzia in post- Soviet Moldova in 1989-1992 and the War of Transnistria in March-July 1992. ... 14th Army involvement in the conflict in Transnistria was extensive and contributed to the outcome, which left the Pridnestrovian Moldovan Republic with de facto independence from the Republic of Moldova. ... This is the history of Transnistria. ...

References

1. ^ Dubossary marked anniversary of the first Dniester engagement
2. ^ ВОЗРОЖДЕННОМУ В ПРИДНЕСТРОВЬЕ ЧЕРНОМОРСКОМУ КАЗАЧЬЕМУ ВОЙСКУ – 15 ЛЕТ Olvia Press. Dec 18, 2006. Retrieved 2006 December 18; See also: "В Приднестровье отмечают 15-летие Черноморского казачьего войск,"«Новый Регион – Приднестровье», Dec 14, 2006.
3. ^ [1]
4. ^ Pridnestrovie: Founded on minority rights
5. ^ [John Mackinlay and Peter Cross: Regional Peacekeepers, The Paradox of Russian Peacekeeping. United Nations University Press: New York & Paris, 2003. Pages 140-141]
6. ^ Mihail Gh. Ciubotaru - "Nu răscoliţi apele negre!", in "Moldova" nr. 12/1990 (Romanian)
7. ^ В чем причины и суть приднестровского конфликта?
8. ^ Vlad Grecu - "O viziune din focarul conflictlui de la Dubăsari", Prut International 2005, ISBN 9975-69-741-0
9. ^ A. Muntean, N. Ciubotaru - Războiul de pe Nistru, Ager-Economistul publishing house, pages 311-354, Bucharest 2004, ISBN 973-86452-0-4
10. ^ Moldova's 1991 Declaration of Independence
11. ^ Istoria creării Armatei Naţionale (Moldova)
12. ^ Vahl, Marius. Borderland Europe: Transforming Transnistria? Centre for European Political Studies, October 2001.
13. ^ Analysis of the Transnistrian Conflict "Human Rights and Russian Military Involvement in the "Near Abroad"" Human Rights Watch December. 1993
14. ^ Vlad Grecu - "O viziune din focarul conflictlui de la Dubăsari", Prut International 2005, ISBN 9975-69-741-0, page 30-34 (Romanian)]
15. ^ Dubossary marked anniversary of the first Dniester engagement
16. ^ Vlad Grecu - "O viziune din focarul conflictului de la Dubăsari", page 38-39
17. ^ William Crowther,"Moldova: caught between nation and empire," in New States, New Politics, Ian Bremmer and Ray Taras, eds., (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1997), 322.
18. ^ V. Grecu - "O viziune din focarul conflictului de la Dubăsari", page 65-68
19. ^ Memorial Human Rights Center Report

Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 352nd day of the year (353rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ...

External links

• Armed conflict in and around the city of Bendery
• Commentary at Vlad Grecu's book "O viziune din focarul conflictului de la Dubăsari" (Romanian)
• The War of Transnistria (Russian)
• International Tribunal faults Moldova for 1992 massacres
• Tiraspol Times: "Human rights groups confirm Moldova massacres in 1992 conflict"