Respublika

Respublika (Респýблика)

Started out as a movement in the early nineties, before the fall of the Soviet Union. When Moldavia broke off from the Soviet Union and gained independence, the Respublika movement wanted the same for Transnistria. A short but bloody uprising in 1992 put Respublika on the frontline against Moldavian forces, but with the intervention of the Russian 14th Army, Respublika prevailed and took control of the province, proclaiming Transnistria a sovereign state (under the name “Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic, PMR”).

Its charismatic leader Igor Smirnov was elected president of the new state, and the Respublika party has been in power ever since. The partys political line is undoubtedly left-wing, although not openly socialist. During the years of Respublika rule, PMR has had many of its industries (especially the lucrative steel mills) nationalized, and life has been pretty good for the citizens. There has, however, always been a dark cloud on the horizon; the organized crime that has been steadily on the increase. Abroad, Transnistria has a reputation as the gateway for weapons smuggling, human trafficing and drug trade from Belarussia, the Ukraine and Russia into Europe.

Respublika, as a party, has condemned all violent acts in the current conflict, but many of the Respublika followers have formed their own militant factions (sometimes not even affiliated with Respublika, but politically aligned). The Respublika-friendly paramilitary groups come in many flavours: Conservatives, Socialists, Soviet nostalgics, Russian Ethnocentrics, Communists, Anarchists and even those with no political agenda other than continued independence for PMR.

Respublika-aligned supporters are typically of russian heritage, some even having double citizenship. Respublika favours nationalization of big industries, but also favour small scale privatized businesses. The typical supporter is very pro-russian, of leftwing ideology, and a firm believer in PMRs independence from Moldavia, which is seen as a belligirent, propagandist neighbour with their eyes set on Transnistrias rich steel industries. The western countries have been of little or no help to Transnistria, and there is also a common belief that Moldavias covert actions and propaganda against Transnistria is being supported or even encouraged by the NATO countries.

The Respublika militants have adopted the color green for their cause, and proudly wear berets or headbands in that color. The green color is supposedly said to represent the “growth and prosperity of the Transnistrian state”.

Obnovleniye (Обновление)

Obnovleniye

Obnovleniye, meaning “Renewal” or “Restoration” in English, are the largest party in opposition to Respublika. Where Respublica drives a left-wing, nationalization line, Obnovleniye is more aligned to the right. They advocate a reunification with Moldavia, privatization, free market/free trade, distancing from Russian influence and often play on Moldavian nationalistic sentiment. The party has had majority in parliament earlier, but never been able to push on through and gain the presidency.

Obnovleniye supporters are typically of Moldavian heritage, and the ideology ranges from reunification with Moldavia, to rather extreme right-wing ideology. Respublika supporters commonly refer to Obnovleniye supporters as “moldavian lapdogs” or, quite simply, “fascists”. The official Obnovleniye party line however is not outspokenly right-wing, but a “democratic force for change and free trade”.

Although the official party colors of Obnovleniye are green and red, their paramilitary supporters have adopted black as their color, to separate themselves from the all too “reformist” ideology of the Obnovleniye party.

NATO Peacekeeping Force

NATO Peacekeeping Force

NATO has a UN mandate to keep the peace in the “NATO Zone” of Transnistria. The NATO force is primarily made up of British, American and German troops. Right on the border between the “NATO Zone” and the “Russian Zone” is a small NATO camp, where the game will take place. This base also has a russian peace keeping force stationed rigth next to the base, and it is not uncommon for the two forces to perform joint actions.

The NATO force at the camp is tasked with keeping the area secure and assisting the civilians in the area.

Russian Peacekeeping Force

Russian Peacekeepers in Transnistria

Russia has had peacekeepers stationed in Transnistria ever since the intervention in 1992. Typically around 1200 peacekeepers are stationed near Transnistrias borders or larger cities, but since the failed elections of 2011, their numbers have swelled to almost 2500 soldiers.

The peacekeeping effort in Transnistria is a big subject back in Russia, since Transnistria has a russian minority and there are fears that another civil war might lead to ethnic cleansings. There has also been a lot of discussions about locating and demommisioning old soviet military hardware that was lost during the chaos of the Soviet Union collapse in 1991.