Transnistria, a breakaway region between Moldova and Ukraine, faces deepening isolation as the Russia-Ukraine war drags on. Economically reliant on Russia and steeped in Soviet nostalgia, its youth grapple with uncertainty. An energy crisis, sparked by halted Russian gas transit in 2025, has left many without heating or hot water, forcing reliance on firewood and illegal logging. Daily life worsens, especially in rural areas with crumbling infrastructure.

Young people dream of leaving but face limited opportunities. Caught between Soviet-era nostalgia and the shadow of war, they struggle to define their identity amid propaganda and isolation. Their stories reflect a generation balancing survival, identity, and hope for a future beyond their unrecognized homeland.