The status of Transnistria is rather complicated. After the fall of the Soviet Union, Russia threatened to take away the land between the Dniester River and Ukraine if Moldova claimed independence.
That land is now called ‘Transnistria’. A war and a decades long frozen conflict later, we ask ourself the question:
“Who really controls Transnistria?”
- Moldova – who de jure has control?
- Transnistria – with its de facto government?
- Russia – with its large peacekeeping force?
- Sheriff – who controls a third of its GDP?
While some describe it as a ‘mafia state‘ ironically controlled by a ‘Sheriff‘ and his friends, another mafia has much more control:
Мафия Kошек – Cat mafia
Everywhere you go in the country, you see the gangs gathering.
In Khrushchyovka’s (commie blocks)
On the streets
On roofs
Or hiding, so you are never safe
The cats drive expensive cars
And hold a monopoly on trade
The cat gangs violently harass people to keep control
Have foreign military support
And notorious prisons to lock dissident cats
While some live in luxury, others try to make the best of their life in poverty
But they control the entire country
Every park
Fence
Field
Or neighbourhood
But also – the hearts of the people
Disclaimer: All the cats in the pictures have been petted properly
This was one of three articles about Transnistria. Other entries in this series are
Further reading…
Memento mori
Closeted Muslim alcoholics
Marriage across borders
