Lost and Found

Photo Essay / 2025 — Ongoing

Bordered by Moldova and Ukraine, Transnistria is a frozen-in-time region grappling with growing isolation. As the war in Ukraine enters its third year, its youth face an uncertain future in a land that is politically unrecognised and economically dependent on Russia. Soviet nostalgia lingers, but daily life is increasingly difficult.

An energy crisis, caused by a halt in Russian gas transit, has left homes cold and pushed illegal logging as people seek firewood. In rural areas, crumbling infrastructure adds to the hardship.

Many young people hope to leave, but options are limited. They grow up navigating identity, propaganda, and the constant threat of conflict. Stuck between a fading past and an unclear future, they search for a way forward.

Leon Basov, 29, showers with water from a half-cut plastic bottle. In early 2025, a halt in Russian gas transit via Ukraine led to a severe energy crisis in Transnistria, cutting off heating and hot water. While Moldova stepped in with temporary gas supplies, the long-term solution for stable and affordable energy access remains uncertain, with ongoing discussions about commercialising gas deliveries and Russia’s future role.
Leon Basov, 29, showers with water from a half-cut plastic bottle. In early 2025, a halt in Russian gas transit via Ukraine led to a severe energy crisis in Transnistria, cutting off heating and hot water. While Moldova stepped in with temporary gas supplies, the long-term solution for stable and affordable energy access remains uncertain, with ongoing discussions about commercialising gas deliveries and Russia’s future role.
A group of young people talk in front of the House of Culture in Chitcani, a small village in Transnistria. Like many such buildings in the region, this one features a statue of Vladimir Lenin — a common sight in Transnistria, where Houses of Culture served as hubs of Soviet ideology and culture. The statues reflect the region’s enduring ties to its Soviet past and its political alignment with Russia.
A group of young people talk in front of the House of Culture in Chitcani, a small village in Transnistria. Like many such buildings in the region, this one features a statue of Vladimir Lenin — a common sight in Transnistria, where Houses of Culture served as hubs of Soviet ideology and culture. The statues reflect the region’s enduring ties to its Soviet past and its political alignment with Russia.
Green market is the biggest market in Transnistira where residents shop for fresh produce, household goods, and other everyday items. However, the market, like the wider Transnistrian economy, is currently facing significant strain due to the region’s ongoing energy crisis, which is impacting local commerce, affecting both vendors and consumers who rely on the Green Market.
Green market is the biggest market in Transnistira where residents shop for fresh produce, household goods, and other everyday items. However, the market, like the wider Transnistrian economy, is currently facing significant strain due to the region’s ongoing energy crisis, which is impacting local commerce, affecting both vendors and consumers who rely on the Green Market.
Victor, 18, artist and transgender man, poses for a portrait in Tiraspol. He dreams of leaving Transnistria to study in Scandinavia, a region he sees as more accepting. Transnistria remains highly conservative, with LGBTQ+ individuals facing violence and little protection from authorities. Incidents of beatings or even killings are rarely reported in the media. Even Tiraspol’s former gay bar, a rare safe space, was shut down under unclear circumstances.
Victor, 18, artist and transgender man, poses for a portrait in Tiraspol. He dreams of leaving Transnistria to study in Scandinavia, a region he sees as more accepting. Transnistria remains highly conservative, with LGBTQ+ individuals facing violence and little protection from authorities. Incidents of beatings or even killings are rarely reported in the media. Even Tiraspol’s former gay bar, a rare safe space, was shut down under unclear circumstances.
A 'Back to Soviet Union' sign displayed in the window of a theme cafe in Tiraspol.
A 'Back to Soviet Union' sign displayed in the window of a theme cafe in Tiraspol.
Empty railways near Tiraspol’s main train station. Trains once ran frequently from Tiraspol to Odessa, Ukraine, but services were halted due to the Russia-Ukraine war that began in 2022.
Empty railways near Tiraspol’s main train station. Trains once ran frequently from Tiraspol to Odessa, Ukraine, but services were halted due to the Russia-Ukraine war that began in 2022.
A vendor at Tiraspol’s Green Market sells small aquarium fish.
A vendor at Tiraspol’s Green Market sells small aquarium fish.
A young man eats at “USSR Stolovaya,” a Soviet-style canteen in Tiraspol. The canteen features decorations and elements from the Soviet era, including newspapers on the walls.
A young man eats at “USSR Stolovaya,” a Soviet-style canteen in Tiraspol. The canteen features decorations and elements from the Soviet era, including newspapers on the walls.
Leon, 29, and his girlfriend Alisa, 20, pose for a portrait at their home in Tiraspol. The couple has been together for about a month and a half. Leon works at a friend’s company in the gas sector, while Alisa is a children’s roller skating coach. Alisa dreams of moving to Russia, but Leon prefers to stay in Moldova.
Leon, 29, and his girlfriend Alisa, 20, pose for a portrait at their home in Tiraspol. The couple has been together for about a month and a half. Leon works at a friend’s company in the gas sector, while Alisa is a children’s roller skating coach. Alisa dreams of moving to Russia, but Leon prefers to stay in Moldova.
Flags of Transnistria and Grigoriopol in front of the hall of Grigoriopol.
Flags of Transnistria and Grigoriopol in front of the hall of Grigoriopol.
Cottage-style houses in the Tiraspol area. These homes often serve as preservation spaces, gathering spots for friends to share a drink, or even coops for keeping chickens together.
Cottage-style houses in the Tiraspol area. These homes often serve as preservation spaces, gathering spots for friends to share a drink, or even coops for keeping chickens together.
A 'Back to Soviet Union' sign displayed in the window of a theme cafe in Tiraspol. February 16, 2025."
Maxim (left), Vasily (middle), and Maxim (right), all 16, ride a marshrutka (minibus) to the village of Chitcani. The three are first-year college students in Tiraspol, the capital of Transnistria. With average wages in the region among the lowest in Europe, they dream of moving abroad to countries like Romania, Poland, or elsewhere in the EU.
Lost and Found. Zifan Zhang | Documentary Photographer

The project was exhibited at the Kolga Tbilisi Photo Festival in May 2025, Tbilisi, Georgia.