The Moldovan separatist region of Transnistria has entered its third day of a severe energy crisis following the cut-off of Russian gas supplies, prompting widespread disruptions to industrial companies and public services.

Gas supplies to the region were halted on January 1, when Russian energy giant Gazprom cut off deliveries to the whole of Moldova, citing unpaid bills by Moldovagaz, a Moldovan company in which Gazprom holds a majority stake. 

This coincided with Ukraine’s closure of a key gas transit route, though Gazprom said that its decision was based on Moldova’s failure to pay a disputed debt the Russian gas giant says amounts to $709mn while the authorities in Chisinau, following an international audit, say is less than $10mn. 

Prior to the cutoff, Moldova received 5.7mn cubic metres of Russian gas daily, all of which was directed to Transnistria. The gas was critical for operating MoldGRES, the region’s primary power plant, which generates electricity for the entire country. Both the Moldovan government in Chisinau and the de facto government in Tiraspol declared states of emergency in the energy sector in December. 

Widespread disruptions

The energy shortfall has led to the shutdown of most industrial enterprises in Transnistria, excluding those in the food sector. Power outages have hit several areas, said Transnistrian news agency NovostiPMR. 

Public transport has also been significantly impacted, with only a fraction of fixed route minibuses operational. For example, just 52 out of 150 minibuses remain in service in the capital, Tiraspol, although trolleybuses continue to operate. Other towns have seen even more dramatic reductions in public transport services. 

The lack of gas has forced many households to revert to using wood stoves, leading to a surge in demand for firewood. 

Vadim Krasnoselsky, president of the unrecognised republic, acknowledged the crisis on his Telegram channel, praising residents for their resourcefulness in collecting deadwood from forests, which authorities have permitted for free. Emergency services have stepped in to assist vulnerable citizens, delivering firewood and helping chop and saw it when needed.

Krasnoselsky assured the public that the situation remains under control. “I will not allow social collapse,” he said as quoted by NovostiPMR, highlighting the government’s efforts to mitigate the impact of the crisis.

The gas cutoff, though disruptive, was expected as Ukraine’s decision to close the transit route for Russian gas was known in advance. 

While Gazprom’s decision to halt supplies to Transnistria may seem surprising, given its history of supplying the region with free gas, there is speculation it could either be an effort to stir up tensions between Tiraspol and Chisinau, or possibly reflect frustrations with the region’s moderate stance towards Moldova’s central authorities since Russia’s invasion of neighbouring Ukraine. This has led to speculation about a shift in the relationship between the separatist region and its traditional backers in Moscow.