A Mini-Russia Gets Squeezed by War

At the Back in the U.S.S.R. cafe, it is like the Soviet Union never collapsed.

Busts of Lenin greet visitors at the door. Red hammer and sickle flags hang on the wall. Huge plastic Soviet-era telephones sit on the tables, next to bowls of traditional borscht and lumps of Stolichnaya potato salad.

This cafe and the whole Transnistria region, a Russia-supported breakaway republic wedged between Moldova and Ukraine, feels like a Soviet-themed vintage shop.

“Russia has been like a big brother to us,” said the restaurant’s owner, Igor Martiniuc. Until a few weeks ago, “life was good.”

But now, despite years of benefiting enormously from Russian patronage and protection, Transnistrians want no part of Russia’s war with Ukraine.

“Most people here want to protect themselves and their businesses,” Mr. Martiniuc said. “They don’t want to get involved.” Read more

@nytimes