By Vilhelm Stokstad – Kontinent photographer Vilhelm Stokstad went to Transnistria, a small russian-friendly breakaway region in Moldova, to cover the “Defender of the Fatherland Day” on the 23rd of February. But when there he noticed that all the celebrations were cancelled or had already been done a couple of days before, during a Russian state visit. Vilhelm decided to just walk the streets of Tiraspol, the Capital, and Benderi, a border town with Moldova, documenting the daily life. After the dissolution of the USSR, tensions between Moldova and the breakaway Transnistrian territory escalated into a military conflict that started in March 1992 and was concluded by a ceasefire in July 1992. As part of that agreement, a three-party (Russia, Moldova, Transnistria) Joint Control Commission supervises the security arrangements in the demilitarized zone, comprising twenty localities on both sides of the river. Although the ceasefire has held, the territory’s political status remains unresolved: Transnistria is an unrecognized but de facto independent presidential republic with its own government, parliament, military, police, postal system, and currency. Its authorities have adopted a constitution, flag, national anthem, and coat of arms.
Benderi 20160223 In a 2006 poll, 97% of the transdniestrian population voted to join Russia. In 2014, Russian politician Dmitry Rogozin brought back a motion to Moscow supporting a reunion with Russia. Benderi is a border town to Moldova. Transdniestr is a predominantly Russian populated narrow strip of land on the east bank of the Dniestr River. It declared its independence from Moldova in 1991 after a bloody civil war. Its independence is not recognized by the international community.Photo: Vilhelm Stokstad / KontinentTiraspol 20160223 Youngsters march during Defender of the Fatherland Day in Tiraspol, the capital of the breakaway republic of Transdniestr.Transdniestr is a predominantly Russian populated narrow strip of land on the east bank of the Dniestr River. It declared its independence from Moldova in 1991 after a bloody civil war. Its independence is not recognized by the international community.Photo: Vilhelm Stokstad / KontinentBenderi 20160223 In a 2006 poll, 97% of the transdniestrian population voted to join Russia. In 2014, Russian politician Dmitry Rogozin brought back a motion to Moscow supporting a reunion with Russia. Benderi is a border town to Moldova. Transdniestr is a predominantly Russian populated narrow strip of land on the east bank of the Dniestr River. It declared its independence from Moldova in 1991 after a bloody civil war. Its independence is not recognized by the international community.Photo: Vilhelm Stokstad / KontinentBenderi 20160223 Around 40% of the Transdniestrian population are now pensioners.Transdniestr is a predominantly Russian populated narrow strip of land on the east bank of the Dniestr River. It declared its independence from Moldova in 1991 after a bloody civil war. Its independence is not recognized by the international community.Photo: Vilhelm Stokstad / KontinentTiraspol 20160223
The only bridge over the Dniester river, the landmark border to Moldova, in Tiraspol, the capital of the breakaway republic of Transdniestr.
Transdniestr is a predominantly Russian populated narrow strip of land on the east bank of the Dniestr River. It declared its independence from Moldova in 1991 after a bloody civil war. Its independence is not recognized by the international community.
Photo: Vilhelm Stokstad / KontinentBenderi 20160223 Even though its a public holiday, Defender of Fatherland Day, there is not many people out in the streets of Benderi, a border town to Moldova. Around 40% of the Transdniestrian population are now pensioners.Transdniestr is a predominantly Russian populated narrow strip of land on the east bank of the Dniestr River. It declared its independence from Moldova in 1991 after a bloody civil war. Its independence is not recognized by the international community.Photo: Vilhelm Stokstad / KontinentBenderi 20160223 Even though its a public holiday, Defender of Fatherland Day, there is not many people out in the streets of Benderi, a border town to Moldova.Transdniestr is a predominantly Russian populated narrow strip of land on the east bank of the Dniestr River. It declared its independence from Moldova in 1991 after a bloody civil war. Its independence is not recognized by the international community.Photo: Vilhelm Stokstad / KontinentBenderi 20160223 Even though its a public holiday, Defender of Fatherland Day, there is not many people out in the streets of Benderi, a border town to Moldova. Around 40% of the Transdniestrian population are now pensioners.Transdniestr is a predominantly Russian populated narrow strip of land on the east bank of the Dniestr River. It declared its independence from Moldova in 1991 after a bloody civil war. Its independence is not recognized by the international community.Photo: Vilhelm Stokstad / KontinentBenderi 20160223 In a 2006 poll, 97% of the transdniestrian population voted to join Russia. In 2014, Russian politician Dmitry Rogozin brought back a motion to Moscow supporting a reunion with Russia. Benderi is a border town to Moldova. Transdniestr is a predominantly Russian populated narrow strip of land on the east bank of the Dniestr River. It declared its independence from Moldova in 1991 after a bloody civil war. Its independence is not recognized by the international community.Photo: Vilhelm Stokstad / Kontinent
