Moldova fears war over Transnistria, Russian missiles cross airspace | Explained

Numerous statues of Vladimir Lenin, imposing Soviet-style architecture & the last flag in the world to bear the hammer and sickle insignia. Transnistria is a tiny unrecognised Russian-speaking area that broke away from Moldova. The unrecognised state emerged during the dissolution of the soviets in the 1990s. Transnistrians did not want to leave the soviets, even if Moldova chose to walk out. Moldova attained independence in 1991, and Transnistria insisted on staying separate. A military conflict followed, with the Russian army enforcing claims to autonomy. Transnistria has since become one of the 'frozen conflicts' of the former USSR.