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 fall under the leader ship of the Ministry of Defence. The Armed Forces were created on 6 September 1991 to maintain 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-chiefVadim Krasnoselsky
Minister of DefenceMajor General Oleg Obruchkov
Chief of the General StaffColonel Sergey Gerasyutenko
Personnel
Military age18
Active personnel5,500
Reserve personnel20,000[1]
Industry
Domestic suppliersTransnistria
Foreign suppliersRussia
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 Transnistria 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:

Tiraspol military parade 2015

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
  • Airborne Infantry (VDV)

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
Special Forces soldiers on the firing range

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

Carbines
Name Type Cartridge Origin Photo Notes
SKS[21]Semi-automatic carbine7.62×39mm M43 Soviet UnionCeremonial use. 10-round magazine.
AKS-74UCarbine5.45×39mm Soviet Union

Assault rifles
Name Type Cartridge Origin Photo Notes
AKMAssault rifle7.62×39mm M43 Soviet UnionTaken from former Soviet army stocks.
AK-74Assault rifle5.45×39mm M74 Soviet UnionTaken from former Soviet army stocks.
AKS-74[21]Assault rifle5.45×39mm M74 Soviet Union30-round magazine.
AK-74M[21]Assault rifle5.45×39mm M74 Russia30-round magazine.

Machine guns
Name Type Cartridge Origin Photo Notes
RPK-74 / RPK-74M[21]Light machine gun5.45×39mm M74 Soviet Union30 or 45-round magazine.
PKTMachine gun7.62×54mmR Soviet Union
Afanasev A-12.7Heavy machine gun12.7×108mm Soviet UnionInstalled on roof weapon station onboard BTRG-127 vehicle.[22]

Mortars
Name Type Quantity Origin Photo Notes
M43 MortarHeavy MortarN/A Soviet UnionTaken from former Soviet army stocks.
120mm 120-PM-38/43MortarN/A Soviet UnionTaken from former Soviet army stocks.

Anti-tank
Name Type Diameter Origin Photo Notes
SPG-9[23]Recoilless rifle73mm Soviet UnionSingle-shot reloadable launcher.
RPG-7[24]Rocket-propelled grenadeWarhead diameter varies Soviet UnionReloadable launcher.
RPG-18[24]Rocket-propelled grenade64mm Soviet UnionSingle-shot disposable launcher
RPG-22[24]Rocket-propelled grenade72.5mm Soviet UnionSingle-shot disposable launcher.
RPG-26[24]Rocket-propelled grenade72.5mm Soviet UnionSingle-shot disposable launcher.
RPG-27[24]Rocket-propelled grenade105mm Soviet UnionSingle-shot disposable launcher.

Anti-tank guided missile
Name Type Diameter Origin Photo Notes
9K111 Fagot[21]Wire-guided missile120mm Soviet UnionTaken from former Soviet army stocks.
9M113 Konkurs[21]Wire-guided missile135mm Soviet UnionTaken from former Soviet army stocks.
9M14 Malyutka[25]Wire-guided missile125mm Soviet UnionTaken from former Soviet army stocks.

Man-portable air-defense systems
Name Type Max. altitude Origin Photo Notes
9K38 IglaMan-portable air-defense system3500m Soviet Union

Tanks
Name Type Quantity Origin Photo Notes
T-34-85Medium tank2 Soviet UnionUsed for ceremonial purposes.[21]
T-55Medium tankN/A Soviet UnionTaken from former Soviet army stocks. In storage
T-64BVMain battle tank18[26] Soviet UnionTaken from former Soviet army stocks.

Infantry Fighting Vehicles
Name Type Quantity Origin Photo Notes
BMP-1Infantry fighting vehicleN/A Soviet UnionTaken from former Soviet army stocks.
BMP-1KSh[21]Infantry fighting vehicleN/A Soviet UnionCommand and observation variant of BMP-1.
BMP-2Infantry fighting vehicleN/A Soviet UnionTaken from former Soviet army stocks.

Armored Personnel Carriers
Name Type Quantity Origin Photo Notes
BTR-60Armored personnel carrierN/A Soviet UnionTaken from former Soviet army stocks.
BTR-70Armored personnel carrierN/A Soviet UnionTaken from former Soviet army stocks.
BTRG-127[21]Armored personnel carrier8+[27] TransnistriaConverted from GMZ-3 minelayers obtained from former Soviet army stocks.
GT-MU[21]Armored personnel carrierN/A Soviet UnionTaken from former Soviet army stocks. Some converted to tank destroyer role.
MT-LB[21]Armoured personnel carrierN/A Soviet UnionTaken from former Soviet army stocks.

Armored Scout Vehicles
Name Type Quantity Origin Photo Notes
BRDM-1[28]Amphibious armoured scout carN/A Soviet UnionTaken from former Soviet army stocks.
BRDM-2Amphibious armoured scout carN/A Soviet UnionTaken from former Soviet army stocks.
9P148[21]Anti-tank guided missile launcher vehicleN/A Soviet Union
IRM 'Zhuk'[21]Amphibious armoured fighting vehicleN/A Soviet UnionTaken from former Soviet army stocks.

Logistics and utility vehicles
Name Type Quantity Origin Photo Notes
Buggy (automobile)[21]light-weight buggyN/A Transnistria
UAZ-469Light utility vehicle2+ Soviet UnionTaken from former Soviet army stocks.[21]
Lada Niva[21]Off-road carN/A Soviet Union
 Russia		Available on commercial market.
GAZ-66Light utility vehicle5+ Soviet UnionTaken from former Soviet army stocks.[21]
UAZ-452Light utility vehicle3+ Soviet UnionTaken from former Soviet army stocks.[21]
Ural-375general purpose 4.5 ton 6×6 truckN/A Soviet Unionaken from former Soviet army stocks.[21]
ZIL-131[21]general purpose 3.5 tonne 6x6 army truckN/A Soviet UnionTaken from former Soviet army stocks.

Rocket artillery
Name Type Quantity Origin Photo Notes
BM-21 Grad122mm multiple rocket launcherN/A Soviet UnionTaken from former Soviet army stocks.
Pribor-1[21][29]122mm multiple rocket launcherN/A Transnistria
Pribor-2[21][29]122mm multiple rocket launcherN/A Transnistria

Towed anti-tank
Name Type Quantity Origin Photo Notes
D-4485-mm calibre field artillery gunN/A Soviet UnionTaken from former Soviet army stocks.[21]
MT-12100-mm calibre field artillery gunN/A Soviet UnionTaken from former Soviet army stocks.[21]

Towed anti-air
Name Type Quantity Origin Photo Notes
ZU-23-2[21]anti-aircraft gunsN/A Soviet UnionTaken from former Soviet army stocks.
ZPU-4[21]anti-aircraft gunsN/A Soviet UnionTaken from former Soviet army stocks.
AZP S-60[21]anti-aircraft gunN/A Soviet UnionTaken from former Soviet army stocks.
KS-19100 mm air defense gunN/A Soviet UnionTaken from former Soviet army stocks.[21]

Mine layers
Name Type Quantity Origin Photo Notes
GMZ-3[21]Mine layerN/A Soviet UnionSeveral GMZ-3 hulls coverted to become armored personnel carriers.[21][30]

Mine clearers
Name Type Quantity Origin Photo Notes
UR-77 Meteorit[21][21]mine clearing vehicleN/A Soviet UnionTaken from former Soviet army stocks.

Helicopters
Name Type Quantity Origin Photo Notes
Mil Mi-2Transport helicopter0-4[31][32][25] Soviet UnionTaken from former Soviet army stocks.
Mil Mi-8Transport helicopter1-5[31][32][25] Soviet UnionTaken from former Soviet army stocks.

Fixed wing aircraft
Name Type Quantity Origin Photo Notes
Antonov An-26military transport aircraft0[33] Soviet UnionNot Operational
Antonov An-2military transport aircraft3[31] Soviet Union
Yak-52[34]trainer aircraft0-2[35] Soviet UnionDisplayed at public event during 2016.
Roundel of the Transnistrian Air Force.

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".{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  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. Mitzer. "The Victory Day Parade That Everyone Forgot". Oryx. Oryx.
  22. "Transnistria (2018 at the latest-present) Armored Personnel Transporter – At least 3 converted". The Online Tank Museum.
  23. "A Forgotten Army: Transnistria's Little Tank Buster That Could". 2019-08-19. Archived from the original on 2009-11-04. Retrieved 2022-04-27.
  24. "Small and underpowered. The army of Moldova has only 6.5 thousand soldiers". Archived from the original on 2013-03-12. Retrieved 2022-04-30.
  25. "Маленькая и малобоеспособная | Еженедельник "Военно-промышленный курьер"". vpk-news.ru. Retrieved 2022-05-01.
  26. "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.
  27. "BTRG-127 "Bumblebee"". Tank Encyclopedia. 2021-12-22. Retrieved 2022-05-04.
  28. Tiraspol Hostel (2014-04-13). "Transnistria Army Tanks in center of Tiraspol!" (in Italian). Tiraspol Hostel. Archived from the original on 2021-12-21. Retrieved 2017-08-07.
  29. Oryx. "A Forgotten Army: Transnistria Unveils New Type Of Multiple Rocket Launcher". Oryx. Retrieved 2022-04-28.
  30. "Transnistria (2018 at the latest-present) Armored Personnel Transporter – At least 3 converted". The Online Tank Museum.
  31. MilAvia Press. "Order of Battle – Transnistria". Milaviapress.com. Archived from the original on 17 October 2017. Retrieved 30 April 2022.
  32. "World Air Forces 2022". Flightglobal Insight. 2022. Retrieved 4 February 2022.
  33. "PMR's Air Force in 2016". Armed Forces of the Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic. Retrieved 27 April 2022.
  34. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qVfJ72W_8EY&ab_channel=%D0%9F%D0%B5%D1%80%D0%B2%D1%8B%D0%B9%D0%9F%D1%80%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%BD%D0%B5%D1%81%D1%82%D1%80%D0%BE%D0%B2%D1%81%D0%BA%D0%B8%D0%B9
  35. "PMR's Air Force in 2016". Armed Forces of the Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic. Retrieved 27 April 2022.
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