Moldova

Republic of Moldova

The Republic of Moldova (Republica Moldova) is an independent, Romanian-speaking state in Eastern Europe. As part of the Soviet Union, the armed forces of the Moldovan Soviet Socialist Republic (MSSR) were undoubtedly outfitted with standard Soviet-designed camouflage uniforms such as the KLMK and variations of the TTsKO tricolor woodland. Since its independence in 1990, the nation has utilized several camouflage designs of Eastern European origin as well as a copy of the US m81 woodland pattern. Historically, the region has also been called Moldavia.

Moldovan Camouflage Patterns

• A derivative of the Soviet-designed TTsKO tricolor is known to have been worn by the Moldovan armed forces between 1991 and 1995. This variation, dark brownish-green and reddish-brown amoebic shapes on a tan or khaki background, appears to be specific to Moldova, although it may have been worn to a lesser degree by Azerbaijan, Georgia and Tajikistan. Most of the early Moldovan camouflage uniforms were made by factories in the Ukraine. This design is sometimes referred to as "Transnistrian pattern."

• Originally conceived in the 1980s by the Soviets as a commercial design, this unique "swirl" or "marble" (мрамор) camouflage pattern began to see use in military uniforms around 1992-1993, entering production in both Russian and Ukraianian factories. This appeared in use with Moldovian units between 1991 and 1995. A dark green and brown swirled pattern on a khaki background, uniforms were also exported to Georgia. It would seem this pattern primarily appeared in a lightweight combat uniform and field cap.

• Also worn by some Armenian forces, an interesting camouflage design derivative of the 3-TsV but having more spot-like shapes is seen here. This pattern also appears only to have been produced as a lightweight combat uniform, and imported from the manufacturers in Ukraine.

• During the period of 1991-1992, Moldova received considerable assistance from its cultural and physical neighbor, Romania, including a large quantity of Romanian M90 pattern camouflage uniforms. These uniforms were primarily utilized by Moldovan Police units, including the Brigada Separată de Poliție cu Destinație Specială or Fulger Brigade.

• The standard camouflage pattern of the Moldovan Armed Forces since 1996 has been a copy of the US m81 woodland design. The Soviet BDU-style uniforms are currently made locally, but may also have been imported from Asia or the Ukraine. Some mild color variations have been documented.

• Since at least 2014, Moldovan peacekeeping troops have appeared in public wearing locally-made uniforms printed in a copy of the US-designed tricolor desert camouflage pattern.

Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic (Transnistria)

Within the officially recognized confines of the borders of the Moldavian Republic is a small strip of land between the River Dniester and the eastern border with Ukraine. The region declared its independence in 1990, and has since been governed independently of the Moldovan Republic, although it remains unrecognized by the United Nations and much of the world. A military conflict between Transnistrian nationalists and Moldova took place between March and July of 1992, with the results being the establishment of a Joint Control Commission, a demilitarized zone, and a ceasefire. The political status of this territory remains unresolved.

• Members of the Army wear woodland-type camouflage patterns, probably of the same manufacture as those worn by regular Moldovan forces. Woodland camouflage is also worn by Border Guards units.

• Police and Special Operations (spetsnaz) units of the Ministry of the Interior (MVD) wear woodland pattern camouflage with a blue colorway. Several variations have been documented.

• Some limited use of Ukrainian TTsKO pattern camouflage has been documented, no doubt brought directly across the border from Ukraine.

• Circa 2016, an unidentified special operations unit was observed wearing a copy of USMC temperate MARPAT, probably also sourced through Ukraine.

• Another pattern seen widely in use since at least 2016 is the standard Russian Army Tsifra or Tetris pattern (единая маскировочная расцветка or EMR).