Lost and Found

Photo Essay / 2025 — Ongoing

Nestled between Moldova and Ukraine, Transnistria, a breakaway region where the past and present collide, faces growing challenges. As the Russia-Ukraine war enters its third year, the region’s young people face a fragile existence in a landlocked, politically unrecognized state. Economically dependent on Russia and steeped in Soviet nostalgia, Transnistria grapples with deepening isolation and uncertainty. The war next door amplifies fears of conflict and economic collapse, while the older generation holds tightly to memories of the Soviet past.

An energy crisis, triggered by a halt in Russian gas transit via Ukraine in early 2025, has left many without heating or hot water. Residents have turned to stockpiling firewood, driving illegal logging in areas with sparse forests. The crisis has worsened daily life, particularly in rural communities, where resources are limited and infrastructure is crumbling.

For the younger generation, the future is uncertain. Many dream of leaving for more accepting environments, but opportunities are scarce. The struggle to define their identity unfolds against propaganda, isolation, and the constant shadow of war.

As the energy crisis deepens and the war drags on, Transnistria’s youth are caught between the weight of history and the urgency of forging their own path. Their stories reveal a generation grappling with survival, identity, and hope for a future beyond their isolated homeland. 

An old man walks his dog past an apartment building in Tiraspol, Transnistria. Built in 1995, after Transnistria declared self-independence, the structure shows little architectural difference from older Soviet-era buildings, which remain a prominent feature of the city’s landscape. Decades after its breakaway, Transnistria has yet to see significant economic or social benefits from its self-declared independence.
An old man walks his dog past an apartment building in Tiraspol, Transnistria. Built in 1995, after Transnistria declared self-independence, the structure shows little architectural difference from older Soviet-era buildings, which remain a prominent feature of the city’s landscape. Decades after its breakaway, Transnistria has yet to see significant economic or social benefits from its self-declared independence.
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.
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.
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.
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.
An old lady walks in Victory Park in Tiraspol. Due to the cold weather, the wheels in the park are not functioning.
An old lady walks in Victory Park in Tiraspol. Due to the cold weather, the wheels in the park are not functioning.
Two domestic goat are running near a stack of firewood in Grigoriopol. Illegal logging has increased in the region as residents stockpile firewood for heating. The energy crisis began after Moldova halted electricity exports to Transnistria in late December, leaving many without reliable power. Southern areas, including Grigoriopol, are most affected by illegal logging due to limited forest coverage.
Two domestic goat are running near a stack of firewood in Grigoriopol. Illegal logging has increased in the region as residents stockpile firewood for heating. The energy crisis began after Moldova halted electricity exports to Transnistria in late December, leaving many without reliable power. Southern areas, including Grigoriopol, are most affected by illegal logging due to limited forest coverage.
An old lady exits the small grocery shop “Apelsin” with two bottles of drinking water in the Karl Marx neighborhood of Tiraspol at night.
An old lady exits the small grocery shop “Apelsin” with two bottles of drinking water in the Karl Marx neighborhood of Tiraspol at night.
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.