Moldova – Ukraine
When was my first plan to visit this border?
It was in 2015 when I looked on Google Maps. I saw the long straight border lines and the sometimes strange course of the border. The satellite photos were not so detailed those days.
Going there I held for impossible and seemed as far away as the real distance from Netherlands to Moldova. Besides that, I had no idea if and how the border was demarcated and if it was accessible.
I abandoned the plan and focused on other borders. In 2018, this border caught my attention again: a detailed ortho map brought the landscape very close. Roads, agricultural areas, buildings were clearly visible. Due to the high level of detail, I even could recognize border markers. But whether I would ever be able to see them, that was still the question. An initial contact with the Moldovan General Inspectorate of the Border Police in Chișinău did not point into that direction. When I asked if I could photograph the border signs between Moldova and Ukraine, the answer was initially no: many objections stood in the way. I eventually succeeded in removing those objections, and I experienced much goodwill. However, a lot of formalities and paperwork had to be done before I had the necessary ‘permits’ to be allowed to stay in the border area and to make photos of bordermarkers. In the end, I visited separate parts of the northern border for the first time in 2019 as a reconnaissance. That wasn't very easy going: in the beginning, someone always accompanied me and I was only allowed to photograph the Moldovan markers, not the Ukrainian ones. After two days, I was 'released' and there was no more talk about photographing only the Moldovan posts. During that trip in 2019, I actually received full cooperation.
After 2019, it took a long time before I went to Moldova again: I first finalized the Slovakian – Ukrainian border and corona stopped me in 2020 and 2021. The Russian invasion of Ukraine also stopped me at first, but in October 2023 I made a second trip. Now I visited contiguous parts of the southern border in the regions 'EST' and 'SUD'. Then the plan also arose to do the entire southern border, from Purcari to Giurgiulești: a total of 211 border markers.
For me the border between Moldova and Ukraine is very attractive. Most of the border markers are quite easy to access, most of them are in open field or very well visible. The landscape is flat or slightly uneven. It's a pleasure to be in such a quiet, sparsely populated and wonderful area. And last but not least: it's an 'undiscovered' border. No one ever did the same as I do.
After the October 2023 expedition, I needed two more expeditions: in April and August 2024 I visited the southern border again. Now I covered the entire southern border. I discussed the program with the eastern and southern regions in advance so that they were aware of my plans. During the preparation and during the trips, I always received cooperation, although I was often checked during my stay in the border zone and I could only continue my way after consultation with higher staff. On the other hand, I also received a lot of help to reach markers that are normally not accessible because they are located on closed or inaccessible terrain.
Despite all the hurdles and obstacles, I have always experienced the collaboration with the Poliția de Frontieră as very pleasant and constructive. I received all the help and cooperation from people who themselves had no interest in me - as a strange foreigner - walking very close along the edge of their country and making photos of the border markers. But never one bad word, always helpful and friendly.

In 2025 I will make two more expeditions to the northern border to photograph all the border signs that I did not see during the first expedition in 2019.
Due to my many visits to the border, I have become a well-known person at the Poliția de Frontieră. Requests for permits are processed faster than before, I am allowed to contact the chiefs of the various border stations myself and everyone always cooperates. I feel very lucky with that.
I am therefore very grateful to the Poliția de Frontieră for their help, cooperation and hospitality. Without their not self-evident cooperation, none of this would have been possible.
I have always considered it a privilege to be able to explore the borders in the beautiful country of Moldova.

Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic (PMR) - Ukraine
A significant part of the border between Moldova and Ukraine lies in PMR. Of the 781 main border markers, 266 are in PMR. Photographing border markers on the border with Ukraine from PMR seemed impossible to me.
However, that turned out not to be the case at all.
In 2019 I wrote to the The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic (ПРИДНЕСТРОВСКОЙ МОЛДАВСКОЙ РЕСПУБЛИКИ). My request was granted and I was allowed to visit some border markers south of Tiraspol under strict supervision of the border authorities of Pridnestrovie. On site, this was still quite a challenge but finally I was guided by Transnistrian soldiers not speaking English.
It was hard to communicate with them but together we managed. And although there were many restrictions during the hike along the border, I succeeded.
So it turned out to be possible in the end.
A request to photograph some markers in August 2024 was also granted. Again, under the supervision of Transnistrian armed military personnel.
Perhaps my very detailed question, stating the exact place and timing, helped in assessing my request. In the end, my wishes were granted and I was able to do exactly what I had asked for. Many thanks also to the Ministry of Internal Affairs of PMR and also to the Minister of State Security Valeriy Gebos, who personally signed the permission and ensured that I could photograph the border posts south of Cuciurgan Reservoir (Lake Cuciurgani).
Again many people put a lot of effort in helping me without any obligation or any interest. I'm very thankful for this selfless support.