Trapped in the Crossfire - Moldovans Endure the Trials of the Russian-Ukraine Conflict as Their Country Faces Unprecedented Challenges

Moldova’s populace voiced great concern regarding their country’s future as Russia, its primary supplier of natural resources, launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine on 24 February 2022, which shattered their hopes for a stable and secure life.

Sharing a border of some 900 km with Ukraine, Moldova has long been considered a vulnerable nation. Despite attaining sovereignty from the USSR more than three decades ago, it continues to rely on the aggressor, Russia - its main distributer of gas, having no choice but to comply with its manipulative tactics.

“The abnormally high prices for natural gas and Russia’s attempts to weaponize gas and oil supplies to Europe have triggered an unprecedented energy crisis,” the president of Moldova, Maia Sandu, said. “We are one of the most vulnerable countries in the face of this crisis.”

Lacking other suppliers, the country was compelled to accept exorbitant gas tariffs, facing staggering inflation, its rate rising to 34.62 percent by October of 2022, half a year after the invasion. 

For its citizens, such news was nothing short of catastrophic. In response to the cost-push inflation, the already existing agitation turned into irrationality – people frantically emptied store shelves, panic buying in fear of prices rising even further. 

Aside from potential food shortages, Moldova got struck by another obstacle – destabilization. “We are facing a wide spectrum of hybrid threats, from disinformation and propaganda to cyber-attacks and energy pressures,” the president added.

Disinformation swiftly became uncontainable as pro-Russian sentiments arose in its separatist region, Transnistria. The pro-Kremlin enclave complied with the superpower’s disruptive plans and became a gateway of threats and propaganda. Moreover, the 1,500 Russian troops settled in the region since 1992, so as to maintain Russian influence, now threaten the sovereignty of Moldova, “increasing the security risks” according to Sandu.

With its EU integration hampered by its Achilles heel – Transnistria, it did not take long for Russia to exploit Moldova’s compromised defense. Starting on 18 September 2022 it orchestrated protests, the demonstrators, chanting “Down with Maia Sandu,” tasked to disseminate its one goal – to weaken the pro-Western government and to deepen the political divide.

Subsequently, the president promulgated a law to counter Russian propaganda by banning all affiliated TV news channels. “I do not see why such a law is needed. It’s probably a move of the current government to show how pro-Western they are,” said the administrator of TV6, one of such channels, Dumitru Chitoroagă. Other supporters shared his sentiments as Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokeswoman Maria Zakharova denounced this action as “a flagrant violation of the right to freedom of access to information.”

2022 challenged Moldovans’ solidarity like never before, bringing many trials for them to face. Regardless of political stance, however, everyone shares the same fears as missile strikes reverberate throughout the nation, the cities – shrouded in darkness for hours on end. As Maia Sandu put it, “It is a difficult time for everyone, and our task is not only to endure - we must develop, and move forward.” 

Amid overwhelming crises, the immense influx of Ukrainian refugees caught the community off guard. However, people swiftly mobilized and came together in an attempt to alleviate the pain of the unfortunate – despite the ongoing discord between pro-Russian and pro-European factions.  

Regardless of the challenges at hand, Moldovans stayed true to their word, showing nothing but compassion to those in search of safety. Although the migration management capabilities were stretched thin by the influx of fugitives, the country and its citizens remained steadfast in supporting the vulnerable. 

According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, after 10 months from the onset of the war, more than 649,000 Ukrainians have entered Moldova’s territory, of which 87,000 have sought asylum. Border crossing data from July 2022 indicated that the country had received the most refugees per capita among all countries, nearing to 4,000 per 100,000 inhabitants.

Francesca Bonelli, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) Representative to Moldova, commended the Government’s swift response to the wave of refugees, and praised its willingness to provide aid and support, despite the setbacks posed by the crisis. “The effort made by the Government during this period is incredible,” she said. “Moldova has become a global example in the management of this crisis.” 

The citizens’ unwavering commitment to accommodating the refugees was highly praised by the Executive, which offered monetary support of 3,900 MDL ($207) per month to the generous host families, intended to cover additional expenses such as housing and food. Overall, the initiative was a success, motivating many to join in and help. 

Additionally, the Government, with the support of the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), UNHCR, and NGOs such as Caritas and the Charity Center for Refugees in Moldova, issued various financial aid programs which further ensured that the asylum seekers would meet their basic needs and live comfortably.

Victoria, 32, who fled Ukraine with her children, is among the many beneficiaries of the monthly assistance, which allows her family to carry on. “You must know that I received money on my card, and I used them to buy medicines, fruit, and food for my children. They were so happy, and I was also happy to afford that,” she said, in an interview with UNICEF. 

The European Union's aid also extended to providing employment opportunities for the refugees. With the support of the National Employment Agency, job fairs were conducted in several cities, offering thousands of positions to those looking to join the workforce, including locals, as well as Ukrainians. By November 2022, over 870 Ukrainian citizens found a job, as economic agents became more accepting, willing to hire them, despite being reluctant initially.

Moreover, in light of the humanitarian crisis, Moldova has seen an astounding surge of volunteers, who have stepped up to provide support for these newcomers. Valeria, 18, is one of the many who offered to serve as a host. "We wanted to be in solidarity with the people there,” she said, explaining that even though Moldova is poor, the people are generally welcoming – from what little they have, they want to help those who have no possibilities. In her view, her desire to help refugees represents nothing more than “basic human values” that “everyone should have”. 

While many have opened their hearts and homes to the refugees, others have grown resentful of the perceived burden that the newly-arrived Ukrainians have placed on the economy. Dumitru Udrea, General Secretary of the Government, explained that “instigators of hate” – fuelling negative sentiments to the locals – aim to undermine the strength of the community and succeeded in causing unrest. They are propagating the idea that Moldova has no monetary resources to spare – while in reality, the country is receiving generous international support from the EU and NGOs alike. 

However, as resilient as they may be, while Moldovans continue to cope with the aftermath of the war, an alarming rise in cases of anxiety and depression has been reported – particularly among those living near the conflict zone, where the distant sound of bombs and gunfire can be heard. Furthermore, a significant portion of Moldovans have lived through the Transnistrian war of 1990 – a violent conflict between Moldova and its enclave – which has made them all the more susceptible to the effects of warfare noises, leaving behind a long-lasting impact on their emotional well-being.

Jana Chihai, head of the Department of Mental Health at Moldova’s State University of Medicine, added that, according to the World Health Organization, the effects associated with the COVID-19 pandemic led to a 25% rise in anxiety and depression globally. Therefore, social isolation, strained economic circumstances, and the pervasive fear of illness and death have further compounded the stress and trauma of the invasion, leading to a significant increase in mental health concerns among the population.

Nevertheless, the conflict has also inspired many to change their lifestyles – in order to adapt, they have increased their political engagement, advocating for peace, acceptance and stability in the region. By doing so, they have shown that even in the face of great adversity, the fortitude of the human spirit can prevail.

Throughout it all, the Moldovan community emerged stronger than before. Despite facing opposition aiming to sow discord – to tear them apart – they have only grown closer together, with their unity faltering at times but never breaking. The challenges and the uncertainty were but a testament to their strength – a key factor in the country's ongoing recovery and development.