What Lies Hidden

Currencies of the World (4/???): Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic, OR, Stînga Nistrului, OR, Transnistria

The Soviets annexed Moldova in 1940, and Russians and Ukrainians settled in the industrial region east of the River Dniester, known as Transdniestria (“Pridnestrovie” in Russian and “Transnistria” in Moldovan). After Moldova gained independence in 1991, Transdniestria seceded and won a war against Moldovan forces. Transdniestria has announced plans to join Russia, and Russian troops have remained in the region since 1991. The Republic of Moldova does not recognize the secession and considers the territories controlled by the PMR to be part of Moldova’s autonomous region of Stînga Nistrului (“Left Bank of the Dniester”). Only three countries recognize Transdniestria’s claim, none of them members of the UN. About 32 percent of the estimated 522,000 Transdniestrians are ethnic Moldovans, with Russians at 30 percent and Ukrainians at 29 percent.