Moldova marks 33 years since the Nistru War with tributes
On March 2, Moldova commemorated the 33rd anniversary of the Nistru War, honoring those who fought and lost their lives in the conflict.
President Maia Sandu, Parliament Speaker Igor Grosu, and Prime Minister Dorin Recean laid flowers at the monument of Stephen the Great to mark the Day of Remembrance and Gratitude.
Later, they joined veterans of the Nistru War in the March of Remembrance, which proceeded from the Great National Assembly Square to the "Grieving Mother" monument, led by a color guard and the Military Band.
"Dear veterans, today, on the Day of Remembrance and Gratitude, we bow before your sacrifice, courage, and patriotism. The Nistru War officially began on March 2, but the fighting and attacks had started long before. We did not seek war, but we lived through it. We did not covet foreign territories, but we were forced to defend our own land. Thirty thousand compatriots fought, 321 heroes lost their lives, and 1,000 were wounded, but all of you stood up to defend the integrity, independence, and sovereignty of the Republic of Moldova," President Maia Sandu declared.
At the "Grieving Mother" monument, Sandu further emphasized that "the Nistru War was not a civil conflict but was instigated by Russia to weaken, divide, and control us. Then, as now, people on both banks of the river share the same struggles, the same needs, and the same aspirations."
The March of Remembrance was followed by students from the Police Academy and the "Alexandru cel Bun" Military Academy, who carried portraits of fallen heroes—soldiers, members of the Fulger Special Forces, and officers of the General Inspectorate of Carabinieri—in a gesture of gratitude.
After the speeches, participants laid flowers at the "Grieving Mother" monument, while former combatants were invited to a traditional military meal.
Veterans told Moldova 1 that they never want to relive the painful moments from 33 years ago and long for lasting peace.
Many young people attended the event, signifying that these historical events must never be forgotten or repeated.
Today marks 33 years since the outbreak of the Nistru War. On March 2, 1992, the conflict escalated into full-scale war, resulting in hundreds of casualties and the loss of de facto control over the Transnistrian region.
The war officially ended on July 21, 1992, when Russian President Boris Yeltsin and Moldovan President Mircea Snegur signed a ceasefire agreement in Moscow in the presence of separatist leader Igor Smirnov. The agreement, known as the Convention, mandated an immediate ceasefire, the creation of a security zone, and the deployment of peacekeeping forces composed of Russian, Moldovan, and Transnistrian troops. A commission was also established to oversee the implementation of the agreement.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
