Responses to the Challenges of Perestroika and the Collapse of the Soviet Union in Moldova’s Russian-Speaking Cities

Abstract

Much of the academic discussion surrounding experiences of minorities during the collapse of Soviet power in Moldova centres around Transnistria and Gagauzia. However, a significant portion of Moldova’s Russian-speaking population lived outside these regions. There is yet to be a study that addresses how Russian speakers from outside Transnistria and Gagauzia responded to the challenges of perestroika. This article shows that the Russian-speakers in three towns, Bălți, Ocnița and Basarabeasca, held similar opinions to those in Transnistria and Gagauzia. However, I argue that conflict was avoided in Bălți, Ocnița, and Basarabeasca due to proactive measures taken by local elites, who worked hard to placate citizens in their respective towns.