The halt of Russian gas supplies to Moldova’s separatist region of Transnistria has necessitated the shutdown of nearly all industrial operations, with the exception of food production facilities.
Transnistria, a predominantly Russian-speaking area with around 450,000 inhabitants that declared independence from Moldova during the Soviet Union’s collapse in the 1990s, has been significantly affected by the sudden termination of Russian gas deliveries to Central and Eastern Europe through Ukraine starting Wednesday.
“All industrial enterprises are inactive, except for those involved in food production, which directly supports Transnistria’s food security,” stated Sergei Obolonik, the region’s first deputy prime minister, to a local news outlet.
He further remarked, “It is too soon to determine how the situation will unfold… The issue is so widespread that if it remains unresolved for an extended period, we will face irreversible changes—enterprises will lose the capability to resume operations.”
For nearly three years amidst the ongoing conflict, Ukraine had allowed Russia to continue transporting gas through its territory, earning up to $1 billion annually in transit fees. However, Kyiv has chosen not to renew the five-year agreement that expired on Wednesday.
European gas purchasers like Slovakia and Austria had anticipated the supply cut and secured alternative sources. However, Transnistria—despite its strong ties to Moscow and the deployment of 1,500 Russian troops—has been severely impacted.
On Wednesday, the local energy provider halted heating and hot water services for households, advising residents to stay warm by congregating in a single room, insulating windows with curtains or blankets, and utilizing electric heaters.
Vadim Krasnoselsky, the pro-Russian leader of Transnistria, announced that the region possesses gas reserves sufficient for ten days of restricted usage in the northern areas and twenty days in the southern regions. He added that the primary power plant had transitioned from gas to coal, ensuring the supply of electricity to residents through January and February.
Russia had been supplying approximately 2 billion cubic meters of gas annually to Transnistria, including to the power plant that also provided energy for the entire country of Moldova—a nation of 2.5 million people aspiring to join the EU.
Moldova has a longstanding history of disputes over gas payments and maintains tense relations with Russia. The former Soviet republic is striving to reduce its energy consumption by at least one-third and aims to import over 60% of its energy needs from neighboring Romania.
Vadim Ceban, the head of Moldova’s national gas company, Moldovagaz, stated that his company had informed the gas distribution firm in the separatist region, Tiraspoltransgaz, of their willingness to assist in purchasing gas from European nations to alleviate shortages.
