Transnistria, De Facto

Transnistria, 2015 · 39 photographs

Transnistria, the self-proclaimed republic between the Dniester and Ukraine, celebrates 25 years of an independence no country recognises.

The self-proclaimed Republic of Pridnestrovia (better known as Transnistria) celebrates the 25th anniversary of its declaration of independence. This small territory located mostly between the Dniester River and the western border of Ukraine , has acquired all the attributes of a state (money, passport, parliament, government, anthem, etc.) but without obtaining any international recognition. All symbols of the communist era were held in the country as evidence of a deep attachment to the past, a deep attachment to Moscow especially! Indeed the egalitarian ideology conveyed by these symbols quickly shattered as in the rest of the former USSR republics. Local oligarchs’ Porsche Cayennes and Land Rovers overtake (on a very good road network) the old Ladas of a middle class whose monthly salary does not exceed 200 euros.

Only the support of Russia has allowed this small self-proclaimed republic (with no common border with its generous donor) to keep its head above water for 25 years. In exchange, Russia keeps an important military arsenal and a contingent of 2,000 Special Forces on their territory. A way for them to create a "buffer zone » with Europe and prevent deeper EU/NATO integration of Moldova.

Transnistria, De Facto, Transnistria. Photograph 2 of 39 by Thomas Van Den Driessche

Transnistria, De Facto, Transnistria. Photograph 3 of 39 by Thomas Van Den Driessche

Transnistria, De Facto, Transnistria. Photograph 4 of 39 by Thomas Van Den Driessche

Transnistria, De Facto, Transnistria. Photograph 5 of 39 by Thomas Van Den Driessche

Transnistria, De Facto, Transnistria. Photograph 6 of 39 by Thomas Van Den Driessche

Transnistria, De Facto, Transnistria. Photograph 7 of 39 by Thomas Van Den Driessche

Transnistria, De Facto, Transnistria. Photograph 8 of 39 by Thomas Van Den Driessche

Transnistria, De Facto, Transnistria. Photograph 9 of 39 by Thomas Van Den Driessche

Transnistria, De Facto, Transnistria. Photograph 10 of 39 by Thomas Van Den Driessche

Transnistria, De Facto, Transnistria. Photograph 11 of 39 by Thomas Van Den Driessche

Transnistria, De Facto, Transnistria. Photograph 12 of 39 by Thomas Van Den Driessche

Transnistria, De Facto, Transnistria. Photograph 13 of 39 by Thomas Van Den Driessche

Transnistria, De Facto, Transnistria. Photograph 14 of 39 by Thomas Van Den Driessche

Transnistria, De Facto, Transnistria. Photograph 15 of 39 by Thomas Van Den Driessche

Transnistria, De Facto, Transnistria. Photograph 16 of 39 by Thomas Van Den Driessche

Transnistria, De Facto, Transnistria. Photograph 17 of 39 by Thomas Van Den Driessche

Transnistria, De Facto, Transnistria. Photograph 18 of 39 by Thomas Van Den Driessche

Transnistria, De Facto, Transnistria. Photograph 19 of 39 by Thomas Van Den Driessche

Transnistria, De Facto, Transnistria. Photograph 20 of 39 by Thomas Van Den Driessche

Transnistria, De Facto, Transnistria. Photograph 21 of 39 by Thomas Van Den Driessche

Transnistria, De Facto, Transnistria. Photograph 22 of 39 by Thomas Van Den Driessche

Transnistria, De Facto, Transnistria. Photograph 23 of 39 by Thomas Van Den Driessche

Transnistria, De Facto, Transnistria. Photograph 24 of 39 by Thomas Van Den Driessche

Transnistria, De Facto, Transnistria. Photograph 25 of 39 by Thomas Van Den Driessche

Transnistria, De Facto, Transnistria. Photograph 26 of 39 by Thomas Van Den Driessche

Transnistria, De Facto, Transnistria. Photograph 27 of 39 by Thomas Van Den Driessche

Transnistria, De Facto, Transnistria. Photograph 28 of 39 by Thomas Van Den Driessche

Transnistria, De Facto, Transnistria. Photograph 29 of 39 by Thomas Van Den Driessche

Transnistria, De Facto, Transnistria. Photograph 30 of 39 by Thomas Van Den Driessche

Transnistria, De Facto, Transnistria. Photograph 31 of 39 by Thomas Van Den Driessche

Transnistria, De Facto, Transnistria. Photograph 32 of 39 by Thomas Van Den Driessche

Transnistria, De Facto, Transnistria. Photograph 33 of 39 by Thomas Van Den Driessche

Transnistria, De Facto, Transnistria. Photograph 34 of 39 by Thomas Van Den Driessche

Transnistria, De Facto, Transnistria. Photograph 35 of 39 by Thomas Van Den Driessche

Transnistria, De Facto, Transnistria. Photograph 36 of 39 by Thomas Van Den Driessche

Transnistria, De Facto, Transnistria. Photograph 37 of 39 by Thomas Van Den Driessche

Transnistria, De Facto, Transnistria. Photograph 38 of 39 by Thomas Van Den Driessche

Transnistria, De Facto, Transnistria. Photograph 39 of 39 by Thomas Van Den Driessche

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