**Russian Gas Halt Brings Transnistria to a Standstill**
A severe heating crisis has hit the Russian-occupied region of Transnistria in Moldova. The area’s industrial activity has come to a halt due to a lack of Russian gas supplies, according to Sergey Obolonik, first deputy chairman of the Transnistrian administration.
The problem started when Russia’s state-owned energy giant Gazprom suspended gas supplies to Moldova on January 1, citing unpaid debts by Moldovagaz. However, Moldovan officials claim that these debts have not been verified by an international audit.
As a result, Transnistria is facing severe heating shortages, affecting nearly 75,000 households and leaving another 116,000 with reduced volumes of gas. Obolonik has warned that prolonged disruptions could cause irreversible damage to the region’s industrial capacity.
**Moldova Offers Help**
The Moldovan government has offered to assist Transnistria in purchasing gas through European platforms. Vadim Cheban, head of Moldovagaz, announced that Chisinau is prepared to support Transnistrian authorities in securing energy resources on market terms to address the crisis.
To make up for the shortfall caused by Russia’s gas supply halt, Moldova’s state-owned energy company, Energocom, will import electricity from Romania and Ukraine. The imported electricity will cover 62% of Moldova’s needs, while 30% will come from local thermal plants and renewable energy sources.
**Regional Security Concerns**
Moldova has heightened security efforts following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Pro-Western President Maia Sandu has accused Russia of attempting to destabilize her government, as Moldova faces growing regional security threats.
The crisis in Transnistria follows Robert Fico‘s earlier threats to cut off electricity exports to Ukraine. The damaged cable is one of several recent incidents in the Baltic Sea under investigation as possible acts of sabotage.
**Ukraine and Europe**
In related news, Ukraine terminated Russian natural gas transit through its territory on January 1. Moldovan Prime Minister Dorin Recean criticized the Kremlin for using energy as a “political weapon,” a concern echoed across Europe as nations reduce their dependency on Russian gas.
Moldova, an EU candidate aiming for membership by 2030, has heightened security efforts following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.