378 Chapter 3
MID#258
Started in March 1939. See the narrative in the 255 Germany/290 Poland dyad
dispute list.
MID#3542
Dispute Number: 3542
Date(s): June 24, 1940 to October 19, 1940
Participants: 365 Russia/360 Romania
Outcome (and Settlement): Yield by side B (Imposed)
Fatalities: None
Narrative: This dispute describes the Soviet occupation of Bessarabia, a histori-
cal territory bounded by the Prut and Dniester rivers that had given its allegiance to
Romania in the wake of the Russian Civil War. The occupation follows an understand-
ing that the Germans and Soviets had reached regarding their respective spheres of
influence. Intent on regaining what it originally received from the Ottoman Empire in
the 19th century, the Soviets began the dispute by sending a squadron of 100 planes to
fly over Romania on the night of June 24, 1940. Reports of clashes between Russian
and Romanian troops followed later that same night. The Soviets, aware that guaran-
tees of Romanian territorial integrity had been rendered invalid by the fall of France
to Nazi Germany, issued an ultimatum to Romania on June 26. The Soviets demanded
total evacuation of military and government personnel from the territory, threatening
invasion if the Romanians did not comply. Romanian efforts to stall for time, namely
to prompt some type of negotiation involving Axis powers Italy and Germany, proved
fruitless. Another ultimatum from the Soviets, outlining a strict timeline for negotia-
tions, was given on June 27. Romania capitulated the next day. The Soviets occupied
Bessarabia, ultimately incorporating the territory into the Soviet Union as the Molda-
vian SSR in August.
Four months later the Soviets made additional threats on Romanian territory by
massing troops on their mutual border, October 12. A Soviet destroyer also sank a
Romanian warship in the Black Sea the same day. Germany was leery of a two front
war and agreed to further concessions to the Soviet Union in the area. The Soviets
were also permitted to send envoys to the Romanian capital to improve relations.
Coding changes: Start Date changed from June 26, 1940. End Date changed from
June 28, 1940.
MID#3872
Dispute Number: 3872
Date(s): January 1941
Participants: 360 Romania/365 Russia
Outcome (and Settlement): Unclear (None)
Fatalities: 26–100 deaths
Narrative: Russia handed the Romanians an ultimatum that demanded the control of
the mouth of the Danube in early January 1941. There were also reports that Russian