After Russia’s invasion the people of Bessarabia switched sides
A traditionally pro-Russian part of Ukraine now feels very differently
WHEN RUSSIA first attacked Ukraine in 2014 Bessarabia was a place to worry about. Less than half of its people identified as Ukrainian. The region was poor and, for historical and economic reasons, many people thought that Vladimir Putin might be their saviour. But Russia’s endeavours to stir up trouble in this strategic Ukrainian borderland have failed. Ukrainian forces beat back Russian attempts to land commandos at the beginning of the full-scale invasion in 2022, and the security services arrested dozens of agents. Although the Russians damaged and closed one of the two bridges linking Bessarabia to the rest of the country, they have failed to shut down the other.
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This article appeared in the Europe section of the print edition under the headline “Going full Ukrainian”
Europe February 17th 2024
- The EU’s covid-19 recovery fund has worked, but not as intended
- After Russia’s invasion the people of Bessarabia switched sides
- As Donald Trump threatens NATO, the Baltic states stiffen their defences
- As German industry declines, the Ruhr gives hope
- Europe decides it doesn’t like lab-grown meat before it’s tried it
- How not to botch the upcoming EU leadership reshuffle
From the February 17th 2024 edition
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