Many Ukrainians , Russians and Jews settled in or around Bender , and the town quickly became predominantly Russian - speaking .
Along with Bessarabia , the city was annexed to the Russian Empire in 1812 , and remained part of the Russian Governorate of Bessarabia until 1917 .
Many Ukrainians , Russian and Jews settled in or around Bender , and the town quickly became predominantly Russian - speaking .
Along with Bessarabia , the city was annexed to the Russian Empire in 1812 , and remained part of the Russian Governorate of Bessarabia until 1917 .