the moldavian autonomous soviet socialist republic (, '), shortened to moldavian assr"', was an autonomous republic of the ukrainian ssr between 12 october 1924 and 2 august 1940, encompassing also modern territory of transnistria (now, in moldova, de facto, a territory under russian military occupation, see political status of transnistria). it was an artificial political creation inspired by moscow in context of reanimation of already largely discredited ideas of the "world revolution". in such manner bolshevik leadership tried to radicalize pro-soviet feelings in bessarabia with a goal to return it in the presence of favorable conditions and creation of geopolitical "place d'armes" (bridgehead) to execute a breakthrough in the balkan direction.