Society

03 April, 2026 / 09:06

/ 12 June, 2025

84 years since first wave of Stalinist deportations

Today we mark 84 years since the first wave of Stalinist deportations, which took place on the night of June 12-13, 1941—a tragedy of immense proportions for the population of Bessarabia and Northern Bukovina. This operation was organized by Soviet authorities in the context of a policy to purge 'anti-Soviet elements,' leading to the forced deportation of over 30,000 people to Siberia and Kazakhstan.

The victims included officials, teachers, priests, educators, doctors, merchants, wealthy peasants, and former members of Romanian administration. Historical documents show that in the first wave of Stalinist deportations, about 30,000 people, including about 5,000 children, were torn from their homes and forcibly sent to Siberia and Kazakhstan.

The transportation was conducted in inhumane conditions: people were packed into freight wagons without water, food, or any possibility of hygiene. Families were often separated—men were sent to labor camps, while women and children were sent to special settlements (the so-called 'labor colonies').

The deportees were transported in inhumane conditions to regions like Tomsk, Omsk, Novosibirsk, Altai and Northern Kazakhstan. Due to the cold, lack of food, water, and medical assistance, at least 1,000 people died during the journey or in the first months of exile.

This operation was just the beginning. Between 1941 and 1951, in multiple waves, over 100,000 people were deported from territories annexed by the USSR (including the Moldavian SSR).

Comment

Latest News

Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv remains closed until 16 April

Another Shahed-type drone detected while unauthorizedly flying over national airspace in Transnistrian segment

DOC // Official Journal publishes implementation mechanism for CEEPUS IV

Moldova’s airspace violated again: Shahed drone found in Dubăsari–Orhei area

Nicolae Testemitanu Medical University of Moldova launches new master’s programme, Health Promotion and Protection

Permanent teaching grades and less bureaucracy in schools

Prosecutor’s Office provides new details on investigation into death of Ludmila Vartic

Moldova, Romania to sign Agreement on extending coordinated control at Leuseni–Albita border crossing point

Unique trilingual work on medicinal plants, created in partnership with Nicolae Testemitanu Medical University of Moldova

Driving licenses issued in Moldova to be recognized in Ireland

Increased flow of passengers in Moldova on eve of Easter holidays; Customs Service head announces measures to streamline traffic

Moldova switches to daylight saving time: clock hands to be moved forward by one hour

PHOTO // Professional training in urology: resident physicians of Moldovan Medical University participate in European study programme

Judge’s Day established in Moldova

Eastern European plants used in Chinese medicine: book by Wang Yifeng launched in Chișinău

PHOTO GALLERY // About 160 companies gathered at Moldconstruct and Moldenergy exhibitions: innovation and cutting-edge technologies

Weekly meeting of Joint Control Commission of 2 April 2026

Energy and infrastructure – essential pillars in Ukraine’s reconstruction

Specialized international exhibitions Moldconstruct and Moldenergy open at Moldexpo

Deputy Prime Minister for Reintegration meets Ambassador of Romania to Moldova

Speaker about permanent withdrawal from CIS statutory bodies: Moldova has sovereign and independent right to decide which union to be part of

Moldovan government representatives to present to parliamentary factions actions taken during emergency state, proposals on future developments

VIDEO // Solidarity puzzle: social experiment in Moldovan parliament to raise autism awareness

Moldovan PM has discussions with mayors from Ocnita district

Parents who do not pay child support risk arrest or community service in Moldova

PHOTO // Non-reimbursable funding for entrepreneurs of Moldova: 81 companies receive grants worth 43 million lei

Moldovan foreign affairs minister meets MEP: continuing reforms, leveraging EU support on agenda

Moldovan PM visits settlement in northern district, where 260 households benefit from access to water with government's support

Moldovan PM in Ocnita district says government continues investing in projects that matter to people

Moldovan parliament amends procedure for appointment, dismissal of members of governing bodies of National Bank of Moldova

See more