Vărăncău, Transnistria
Vărăncău (Ukrainian: Воронково, Russian: Воронко́во, Voronkovo) is a commune in the Rîbnița District of Transnistria, Moldova, composed of three villages: Buschi (Буськи), Gherșunovca (Гершунівка) and Vărăncău.[1] It is located 15 kilometres (9.3 miles) southeast of Rîbnița.
Vărăncău
Воронко́во (Russian) Воронко́во (Ukrainian) | |
|---|---|
  Vărăncău | |
| Coordinates: 47°42′21″N 29°7′9″E | |
| Country (de jure) |  Moldova |
| Country (de facto) | .svg.png.webp){kind=spacer} Transnistria[lower-alpha 1] |
| District | Rîbnița District |
| Elevation | 184 m (604 ft) |
| Time zone | UTC+2 (EET) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+3 (EEST) |
The village Vărăncău is the site of the Church of the Blessed Virgin's Assumption, a Christian Orthodox church, construction of which was completed in 1800. Since then, the church has been open and functioning, standing much as it did when it first opened its doors. It is the only church in Transnistria which was never closed during the Soviet times when all other churches had to close, holding therefore a special significance for the religious community in Transnistria.
Vărăncău also had a now abandoned military aerodrome of the former Soviet Union. The 2,500-metre (2,700-yard) long runway has today been turned into farmland.[2] The aerodrome was repeatedly struck by drones flying over the village on 6 May 2022.[3] This was part of a series of attacks that happened in Transnistria as the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine was developing. These incidents may have been a false flag operation by Russia or Transnistria itself.[4]
Notes
- Transnistria's political status is disputed. It considers itself to be an independent state, but this is not recognised by any UN member state. The Moldovan government and the international community consider Transnistria a part of Moldova's territory.
References
- Clasificatorul unităților administrativ-teritoriale al Republicii Moldova (CUATM) (in Romanian)
- "russianairfields.com". www.russianairfields.com.
- Aitken, Peter (7 May 2022). "Breakaway Moldova state of Transnistria reports explosions along Ukraine border". Fox News.
- "Possible 'false flag' attacks in separatist Moldovan region of Transnistria raises concerns Russia plans to expand conflict". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 27 April 2022.
