Unrecognized breakaway state between Moldova and Ukraine, frozen in Soviet aesthetics but functioning as an archly capitalistic area controlled by the Sheriff corporation
"Though it is internationally recognised as a breakaway part of Moldova, Transnistria functions and feels like a wholly different country to Moldova—it has its own passport, flag, president, anthem, coat of arms, language, border, army, and currency. The first thing one notices in Transnistria is the"
"Transnistria is a small strip on the Ukrainian/Moldovan border that's equal parts Russians/Ukrainians/Moldovans and they have their own currency (ruble) that is not recognized as one per international banking system."