Transnistria has just two days’ worth of gas left, according to the president of the unrecognised republic, Vadim Krasnoselsky.
He made the announcement in an interview with the Russian state-owned broadcaster Rossiya-24, accusing Moldova of obstructing energy supplies.
"Within a few days, the gas remaining in the pipeline will literally run out," Krasnoselsky said, adding that Transnistrian authorities are doing everything possible to help people, but the situation remains highly challenging.
Earlier this month, Transnistrian authorities indicated that they are relying on Moscow to resolve the energy crisis in the region. Moscow, a crucial economic supporter of the area, halted gas supplies on 1 January. Despite being unrecognised by any country, the breakaway republic receives political and financial backing from Russia.
Krasnoselsky stated that Russia has done everything to ensure gas supply to Transnistria. “I say this officially: Moldova is preventing the supply of energy resources to Transnistria and blaming Russia. Russia has done everything to guarantee this supply,” he said.
Moldovan authorities lost control over the region following a war in 1992 after the collapse of the Soviet Union. Until now, Russian gas giant Gazprom supplied Transnistria via the local provider Tiraspoltransgaz, billing Moldova’s capital, Chisinau, for the gas, which has led to Moldova incurring a significant debt to Gazprom.
Due to the conflict over this debt, Moscow shut off the gas supply on 1 January. Since then, Transnistria has experienced daily power outages, and many factories have ceased operations.
Electricity production is also at risk. “Operator Moldavskaya GRES has enough coal reserves to produce energy until 16-17 February. After that, there will be no more coal, and Transnistria will be left without electricity,” the president added.
