Armed Forces of Transnistria

The Armed Forces of the Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic (Romanian: Forțele armate ale Republicii Moldovenești Nistrene, Moldovan Cyrillic: Форцеле армате але Републичий Молдовенешть Нистрене; Russian: Вооружённые силы Приднестровской Молдавской Республики; Ukrainian: Збройні сили Придністровської Молдавської Республіки) are the military forces of the unrecognized state of Transnistria. The Armed Forces were created on 6 September 1991 to mantain the sovereignty and independence of the Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic, in accordance with Article 11 of the Republic's Constitution.[2]

Armed Forces of the Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic
Вооружённые силы Приднестровской Молдавской Республики
Insignia of the Armed Forces
Founded6 September 1991 (1991-09-06)
HeadquartersTiraspol
Leadership
Commander-in-chief Vadim Krasnoselsky
Minister of Defence Major General Oleg Obruchkov
Chief of the General Staff Colonel Sergey Gerasyutenko
Manpower
Military age18
Active personnel5,500
Reserve personnel20,000[1]
Industry
Domestic suppliers Transnistria
Foreign suppliers Russia
 Abkhazia
 South Ossetia
Related articles
HistoryTransnistria War

History

On 6 September 1991, the Supreme Soviet of Transnistria adopted a resolution which called for the formation of a Transnistrian military unit. As a result, the Republican Guard (Russian: Республиканская гвардия ПМР) was formed. It was the direct counterpart to the Republic of Moldova's Republican Guard (Romanian: Garda Republicană).[3] Both were the predecessors to their respective countries armed forces. In its first major conflict, the guard repelled troops of the Moldovan National Army against the city Dubăsari in December 1991. By the end of 1991, the organizational formation of the Transnistrian armed forces was generally completed. Shortly after the outbreak of Transnistrian War in March 1992, the People's Militia was created, having been supported and armed by the Russian Armed Forces 14th Guards Army. By the end of 1992, all main structures of the Ministry of Defence and the General Staff were formed, including individual military units, government agencies, and specialized services. On 14 March 1993, personnel of the new armed forces took the military oath of allegiance to the country. As of 2021 Transnistria is equipped mainly with Soviet-Era equipment including the T-64BV tank which is still quite capable given Moldova only has a few relatively older tanks. Infantry fighting vehicles are the BMP-1 and BMP-2 with at least 15 in service as of 2021. Apcs include the BTR family of apcs as well as over 70 MT-LBs, GT-MU, and BTRG-127 vehicles. Trucks are typically post Soviet, Ural-375, GAZ-66, and Zil-131 trucks make up the logistics backbone. Rocket artillery is very important for the Armed Forces given the limited number of conventional artillery Transnistria has. Rocket launchers include the Grad system some of which were placed on ZIL-131 trucks. Transnistria also has a domestic rocket launcher industry which has built the Pribor-1 and Pribor-2 rocket launchers with 20 tubes and 48 tubes respectively, both systems are of 122mm caliber. Transnistria does have a small domestic drone industry which has been producing reconnaissance drones for the military since at least 2019. These have been jointly used with the Pribor-2 rocket launch systems in exercises to increase accuracy of the rockets via drone targeting. [4]

Structure

The armed forces are composed of 4,500 to 5,500 active duty soldiers, (with 15,000 - 20,000 personnel in the reserve).[1][5]

President Vadim Krasnoselsky

In order of precedence, the current military leadership is composed of the following:

Regular Army
  • 1st Guards Motorised Infantry Brigade "Stefan Kitzac" (Tiraspol)[6]
  • 2nd Motorised Infantry Brigade (Bender)
  • 3rd Motorised Infantry Brigade (Rîbnița)
  • 4th Motorised Infantry Brigade (Dubăsari)
  • 1st Independent Aviation Detachment
  • Tank Battalion
  • Artillery Regiment
  • Anti-aircraft Regiment
  • Special Forces Battalion
  • Security Battalion
  • Intelligence Company

Additional support is provided by the Operational Group of Russian Forces of the Russian Army, based in the Transnistrian city of Cobasna.

Specialized Units
Director of Music of the General Staff Band, Colonel Vitaly Voinov
  • General Staff of the Armed Forces – It is the commanding and managing body of the armed forces. It is tasked with enforcing military strategy which comes from the ministry of defense.
  • PMR Honour Guard – Since its establishment on 6 November 1997, the PMR Honour Guard has taken part in the welcoming of honoured guests and festive and ceremonies. Notable commanders of the unit include Yaroslav Isak, Valentin Rasputin and Artem Chernichenko.[7][8]
  • General Staff Band – The band's musicians must have at least a year of experience in the musical services of the Russian, Moldovan, and Ukrainian armed forces. Their repertoire includes over 500 works by foreign composers. The band is led by Colonel Vitaly Voinov.[9]
  • Peacekeeping Force[10][11]

Higher education
Cadets of the Military Institute of the Ministry of Defense dressed in historical parade uniforms

Cadet schools

Security forces

Culture

Events
The PMR Honour Guard at the parade.

On Republic Day and Victory Day, two-hour military parades of the Armed Forces of Transnistria is annually held on Suvorov Square, usually featuring over 15 military contingents overseen by the president, the Prime Minister and members of the Supreme Council. A historical mechanized convoy is usually assembled at the parade.[14] In 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the two jubilee celebrations were merged on 2 September.[15]

The official armed forces holiday is Defender of the Fatherland Day on 23 February, which celebrated similarly to Russia and the Commonwealth of Independent States. Other military holidays include:

  • Internal Troops Day (March 24)
  • Liberation Day (April 12)[16]
  • State Security Day (May 16)
  • Peacekeeper Day (July 28)[17][18]
  • Armed Forces Day (September 6)
  • Border Guards Day (September 14)

Museum

The Military History Museum of the Armed Forces was opened on 13 November 1999 by President Smirnov together with Defense Minister Stanislav Hazheev. It has been visited by more than 20,000 servicemen, students, and tourists. The main attraction is the diorama "Storming the bridge over the Dniester", which depicts an episode of the battle on 20 June 1992. The museum is conventionally divided into two parts: exhibits and archival photographs. The central area is occupied by a ring in memory of fallen guardsmen.[19]

Sports Club

The Army Sports Club in Transnistria is a sports movement in the army that has the involvement of not only active military personnel, but also retired ones, as well as their family members, and pre-conscription youth. Almost anyone who wants to compete under the SKA banner are able to join the club. It was created as part of a return to the traditions of Soviet sports.[20]

Equipment

Small arms
Small arms used by Transnistrian armed forces
Name Origin Type Variant Notes
Makarov PM Soviet Union Semi-automatic pistol
SVD Dragunov Soviet Union Sniper rifle
AK-47 Soviet Union Assault rifle
AKM Soviet Union Assault rifle
AK-74 Russia Assault rifle
AK-103 Russia Assault rifle
PKM Soviet Union General-purpose machine gun
PKP Russia General-purpose machine gun
RPG-7 Soviet Union Rocket-propelled grenade
RPG-18 Russia Rocket-propelled grenade
RPG-22 Russia Anti-armor
RPG-26 Russia Anti-armor
RPG-27 Russia Anti-armor

Armor
Armored equipment used by Transnistrian armed forces
Name Origin Type In service Notes
Armored fighting vehicle
T-80BV Soviet Union Main battle tank 6+ in storage[21] Seen stored. Specific numbers unknown.
T-64BV Soviet Union Main battle tank 18 Active, many more in storage[22] Primary MBT of the PMR armed forces.
T-55AM Soviet Union Medium Tank 30+ in storage Not used and stored variety including T55A's and T55AM's.
BMP-2 Russia Infantry fighting vehicle 6+ Seen in military parade.
GT-MU Russia Tank Destroyer 40+ Most Carry SPG-9 Support Gun.
BMP-1 Russia Infantry fighting vehicle 10+ Some serve as command vehicles.
9P149 Shturm Russia Tank Destroyer 12+
MT-LB Russia APC 25+
GMZ-3 Russia APC 8+ Converted into an APC domestically.
BTR-80 Soviet Union APC 10+
BTR-70 Soviet Union APC 9+ 9 Seen during Military Parade.
BTR-60 Soviet Union APC 40+ Command Vehicles.
BRDM-2 Soviet Union APC 10+ Most carry AT-5 Missiles.
Artillery
BM-21 Grad Soviet Union Multiple rocket launcher 20+ Some mounted on ZIL-131.
Pribor-1 Transnistria Multiple rocket launcher 16+ 20 122mm rockets on ZIL-131.
Pribor-2 Transnistria Multiple rocket launcher 10 48 122mm rockets on Kamaz Chassis.
UR-77 Russia Mine Clearing Line Charge 2+ Seen in military parade.
D-44 Soviet Union Field gun 12+ 12 seen in military parade.
ZU-23-2 Soviet Union Anti-aircraft 100+ Many placed on vehicles.
ZPU-4 Soviet Union Anti-aircraft 4+ 4 seen in military parade.
KS-19 Soviet Union Anti-aircraft 4+ 4 seen in military parade.
AZP S-60 Soviet Union Anti-aircraft 10 Self-propelled
9K38 Igla Soviet Union MANPADS 50+
UAZ-469 Russia Utility Vehicle 50+ Primary light vehicle of Transnistrian Military.
GAZ-66 Russia Truck 10+ Some carry ZSU-23-2.
ZIL-131 Russia Truck 40+ Some carry reloads for rocket launchers, some also carry ZSU-23-2.
Ural-375 Russia Truck 100+ Primary truck of armed forces, Some carry ZSU-23-2.
KrAZ-255 Russia Truck 4+ Seen towing heavy artillery in parade.

Air Force

Air Force in 2021
Equipment used by Transnistrian Air Force
Aircraft Origin Type Variant In service Notes
Transport
Antonov An-2 Soviet Union Transport 3[23]
Helicopters
Mil Mi-2 Soviet Union
Poland		 Utility/Transport 1 [24][23][25]
Mil Mi-8 Soviet Union Utility/Transport 1-2[26] [24][27][25]
Unmanned aerial vehicles
Phantom (UAV) China Local Reconnaissance ~20+ [28][25]
Domestic Reconnaissance Drone Transnistria Short-ranged reconnaissance 20+ [28][25]
Trainer aircraft
Yakovlev Yak-52 Soviet Union Trainer 0-2[24]
  • Minister of Defense Oleg Obruchkov
  • Transnistrian Army personnel (2007)
  • PMR Special Motorized Unit during a parade (2016)
  • The PMR Border Guard
  • T-64BV during a military parade (2010)
  • A BMP-1P armored personnel carrier
  • The PMR Honor Guard with AK-74 rifles
  • The guard of honor of the Tiraspol Suvorov Military School
  • Transnistrian Airborne Troops
  • Transnistrian special forces
  • Aircraft roundel
  • A Transnistrian Air Force An-2
  • A Transnistrian Yak-52

References
  1. Pridnestrovie.net, Law enforcement and armed forces of Pridnestrovie
  2. Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Constitution, 2015-09-17.
  3. http://lex.justice.md/index.php?action=view&view=doc&lang=1&id=306526
  4. "Что сегодня происходит с "армией" непризнанной ПМР". InfoResist. October 8, 2020.
  5. km.ru, Приднестровье показало мускулы, 2007-09-07 (in Russian)
  6. "Первой Отдельной мотострелковой бригаде Вооруженных сил ПМР присвоено гвардейское и почетное наименование".
  7. "Министерство обороны ПМР – Новости, будни и праздники Армии ПМР".
  8. "Роте почетного караула ПМР – 20 лет | Новости Приднестровья".
  9. "Оркестр ГШ ВС ПМР". dvorec-pmr.info. Retrieved 2017-12-22.
  10. https://novostipmr.com/ru/news/20-05-05/mirotvorcy-priglashayut-muzhchin-na-voennye-sbory
  11. https://novostipmr.com/ru/news/20-08-03/mirotvorcheskie-sily-pmr-priglashayut-muzhchin-na-voennye-sbory
  12. "Выпускники Военного института Министерства обороны ПМР получили дипломы". vestipmr.info. 2015-07-15. Archived from the original on 2017-02-24. Retrieved 2019-05-11.
  13. Administrator1. "27 марта – День внутренних войск". МВД ПМР (in Russian). Retrieved 2020-09-05.
  14. "В Приднестровье отмечают 30-летний юбилей республики". Baltija.eu. September 2, 2020.
  15. "В Приднестровье парад Победы проведут в День независимости республики". EADaily.
  16. "72nd anniversary of Tiraspol liberation from Nazi invaders | Новости Приднестровья".
  17. Александр Комаров (2012-07-26). "В Приднестровье установлен День миротворца" (in Russian). Archived from the original on 2013-12-12. Retrieved 2013-12-09.
  18. Дарья Евтушенко. "В Приднестровье чествовали миротворцев" (in Russian). Archived from the original on 2013-12-12. Retrieved 2013-12-09.
  19. "Военно-исторический музей Вооружённых сил – Министерство обороны ПМР" (in Russian). Retrieved 2020-09-05.
  20. "Спортивный клуб армии в Приднестровье может появиться уже на этой неделе". radio.pgtrk.com (in Russian). 2017-02-01. Retrieved 2021-03-12.
  21. "Law enforcement and armed forces of Pridnestrovie | Pridnestrovie.net - Tiraspol, PMR: Pridnestrovskaia Moldavskaia Respublica (Transnistria)". 2009-11-04. Archived from the original on 2009-11-04. Retrieved 2019-06-23.
  22. "Law enforcement and armed forces of Pridnestrovie | Pridnestrovie.net - Tiraspol, PMR: Pridnestrovskaia Moldavskaia Respublica (Transnistria)". 2009-11-04. Archived from the original on 2009-11-04. Retrieved 2019-06-23.
  23. "Tiraspol Airport Area 1". Retrieved 2019-06-24.
  24. "Transnistrian military aviation OrBat". Archived from the original on 2017-10-17. Retrieved 2010-09-30.
  25. "Photos of Transnistrian military aircraft". 2013-01-10. Retrieved 2013-01-10.
  26. "World Air Forces 2021". FlightGlobal. 4 December 2020. Archived from the original on 10 February 2021. Retrieved 28 February 2021.
  27. "Photos of Transnistrian military aircraft". 2013-01-10. Retrieved 2013-01-10.
  28. "A Forgotten Army: Transnistria's Little Tank Buster That Could". oryxspioenkop.com. 2019-08-14. Retrieved 2021-05-20.
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