On June 28 Bessarabia entered into the structure of the USSR. On August 2, 1940 the Moldavian Soviet Socialist Republic was formed from the majority of districts of Bessarabia and the Moldavian Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic. With the beginning of the Great Patriotic War on June 22, 1941 military operations began on the territory of the republic. Despite the fierce battles, in which the Bessarabians took part, by the end of July 1941 Bessarabia was occupied by the German-Rumanian forces. As a result of mobilization into the Red Army and evacuation, the Moldavian population decreased by 500 000 and was at 2 220 000. The population of Kishinev, Tiraspol and district centers decreased approximately by half. An administrative region of Bessarabia was created by the occupying forces. The numerous commands of the "new authorities" with various restrictions, bans, prohibitions as a rule ended with: "Death penalty for violation of", "prison sentence for a term of⋯", "hard labor from⋯ to⋯". The occupying forces conducted a policy of terror and plunder. The resettling of local Russian, Gagauz, Bulgarian, Rusin and the Little Russian population was planned and the lands of the former were colonized by Rumanian colonists. Provisions, fodder, manufactured goods, raw material of short supply were exported to Rumania. The economy, education and health systems were destroyed. In August 1944 after the liberation of Bessarabia everything had to be restored.