 In 1812, following one of several Russian-Turkish wars, the eastern half of the principality, Bessarabia, was annexed by the Russian Empire.In 1918, Bessarabia briefly became independent as the Moldavian Democratic Republic and, following the decision of the Parliament (Sfatul Țării), united with Romania.In time of Second World War it was freed by Soviet Union from German occupation and joined it as Moldavian ASsr, until the dissolution of the USSR.