In a historic event, gas from Russia stopping flowing into Europe via Ukraine.
While European bloc members were able to make alternative arrangements, this has meant a state of crisis for vulnerable Moldova.
In Transnistria, Moldova’s independent Russia-supporting region, citizens are facing a winter without heating or even power, after local authorities cut off hot water and heating.
Transnistrians, who had free gas from Russia, have been told to seal off window gaps by local authorities, and have rejected pro-European president’s Maia Sandu’s offer for aid.
The free gas was a carrot dangled over the rest of the Republic of Moldova by Transnistria.
The Transnistrian power plant in Kurchugan is now being heated by coal and is said to only be able to provide for 50 more days.
Hospitals are still being heated.
It is also Transnistria partially blocking Moldova’s ascension into the European bloc, with over a thousand Russian troops implemented into the tiny region.
Moldova’s pro-Ukraine security advisor, Stanislav Secrieru, sent a bold message, accusing Russia to weaponizing energy exports in order to destabilize Moldova and swing voters in Russia’s favor, in a “deliberately induced security crisis”.
Meanwhile, Chisinau intends to buy European gas from the spring on, which will mean huge costs for the already-poor country, which is 700m$ in debt.
Moldovans have been told to keep the heating on at 19 degrees celsius and be prepared for power cuts.
Relationships with Moscow stay tense, as Moldova would be Russia’s supposed next target after Ukraine.
