Step inside the tiny Soviet country that doesn't technically exist
Polyakov was born and raised in the breakaway province of Transnistria, an approximately 125-mile-long sliver of territory along the Dniester River running between Moldova and Ukraine.
In the aftermath of the USSR's collapse in the early 90s, the Soviet Republic of Moldova declared independence, but the region along the Dniester sought freedom of its own. Transnistria may have fought a bloody war for self-rule from Moldova in 1992, but it's still not recognized by the United Nations - or any UN member country - and essentially exists as an independent state.
Polyakov is a proud member of the first generation of the tiny republic. "Despite the fact that our republic is unrecognized, for people of my generation, it is ... the homeland," he says.
Many Transnistrians hold strong pro-Russian views, and the area is dotted with relics of the Soviet era. But to Polyakov, Transnistria has much more to offer than ] remnants of communism. He set out to document his home, hoping to capture elements that many don't see.
"Transnistria is more than just Lenin standing near the house of government or some other symbol of the Soviet period," he tells Business Insider. "It is important for me to show that there is another side of life where these characters do not hold such value, especially for my generation born after the collapse."
Polyakov has shared his photos and experience in this unique land with us here.
- Sebi asks NSE to asses Linde India's related party transactions
- India's oil import bill could swell to $101-104 billion in FY25: ICRA
- Hardik's T20 WC ticket hinges on his IPL form: Sources
- India's gold demand up 8% in Jan-Mar to 136.6 tonne despite high rate
- Mahindra XUV 3XO compact SUV launched in India starting at ₹7.49 lakh
- Nothing Phone (2a) blue edition launched
- JNK India IPO allotment date
- JioCinema New Plans
- Realme Narzo 70 Launched
- Apple Let Loose event
- Elon Musk Apology
- RIL cash flows
- Charlie Munger
- Feedbank IPO allotment
- Tata IPO allotment
- Most generous retirement plans
- Broadcom lays off
- Cibil Score vs Cibil Report
- Birla and Bajaj in top Richest
- Nestle Sept 2023 report
- India Equity Market