Welcome to Transnistria: a Soviet breakaway territory in Eastern Europe The self-declared country of Transnistria clings to its Soviet roots. Located on a sliver of land where the eastern border of Moldova meets Ukraine, Transnistria has its own government, parliament, military, police and postal system, but remains unrecognised internationally. A young soldier poses on the night he finished 18 months of mandatory military service Picture: Amos Chapple / Rex Features