Oldebroek alderman steps back from Ukrainian refugee housing after posing with Kalashnikov in pro-Russian Transnistria

A local alderman in the Gelderland municipality of Oldebroek has been forced to hand over his responsibility for housing Ukrainian refugees after a holiday photo showed him grinning with a Kalashnikov in front of pro-Russian flags in the breakaway region of Transnistria.

Tom de Nooijer, a 26-year-old alderman for the local Christelijk Verbond Oldebroek party, publicly apologised during a council debate on 2 September 2026, saying he “failed to show the sensitivity and sense of responsibility that can reasonably be expected of a public official.” He announced he would step down from overseeing the municipality’s shelter for Ukrainian refugees and would no longer hand out medals or awards. The rest of his portfolio remains intact, but opposition parties (SDO, CU, CDA) are calling for his full resignation Source: NL Times, 4 September.

What happened?

De Nooijer travelled to Moldova on holiday this summer and visited Transnistria – a narrow strip of land that broke away from Moldova after a short war in the early 1990s. It is not recognised by any UN member state, hosts Russian troops, and flies a Soviet-style hammer-and-sickle flag. The Dutch foreign ministry advises against all travel there (red code) Source: NL Times, 27 August.

At a shooting range in Transnistria, De Nooijer posed with a Kalashnikov assault rifle. In the photo, which he posted on Instagram, he stands next to Marlon U., a former Forum for Democracy (FvD) council candidate in Almere who received a suspended prison sentence in June 2026 for assault with a discriminatory character. Behind them hang the flags of Transnistria and Dynamo, a Moscow sports club closely tied to the separatist project. The photo was removed after journalists at de Volkskrant asked about it Source: DutchNews, 28 August.

Why it matters for internationals in the Netherlands

For expats and internationals living in the Netherlands – especially those with a residence permit or a refugee status – this story is a reminder that local politics can have a direct impact on your daily life. Oldebroek is a small municipality (roughly 23,000 inhabitants) that currently houses about 200 Ukrainian refugees. The alderman who was in charge of their shelter was photographed glorifying the very side that is attacking their home country.

“They fled the violence he is glorifying by posing for a pro-Russian flag,” said Frank van ’t Ende, an opposition councillor, as reported by DutchNews. The ChristenUnie councillor called the photo “shocking.” De Nooijer initially refused to comment or apologise, saying the trip was private and out of “historical interest in the Soviet past.” He later wrote a statement distancing himself from the hammer-and-sickle flag, calling the visit “unwise” Source: DutchNews, 28 August.

What happens now?

During the council debate, the coalition party ABO gave De Nooijer a metaphorical “yellow card” – a warning rather than a demand to step down. But opposition parties continue to push for his full resignation. Mayor Tanja Haseloop-Amsing said the municipal executive board was “unpleasantly surprised” by the photo. De Nooijer himself admitted during the debate: “To be honest, I am only 26 myself. I thought it would be cool; shooting looked awesome. It was a bit of a thrill” Source: NL Times, 4 September.

The question remains whether the municipal council will accept this partial retreat or demand a full resignation. For the Ukrainian refugees in Oldebroek, the immediate practical effect is that the alderman who offended them is no longer responsible for their housing. But the broader political fallout may not be over yet.

What does this mean for you?

If you live in the Netherlands on a residence permit, especially under the Temporary Protection Directive for Ukrainians, you should know that local aldermen (wethouders) have real power over shelter, integration, and housing policies. When an alderman resigns or is reshuffled, it can affect the speed and quality of services. The Dutch system of coalition politics means that local parties often have to negotiate compromises – like the “yellow card” here – rather than simply firing someone. For internationals, it’s worth keeping an eye on your own gemeente’s (municipality) executive board, because they are the ones who decide on permits, housing, and social support.

For now, De Nooijer remains an alderman – but his reputation and his role in refugee policy have been badly damaged.