Reuters reported that on December 29, gas distributor Tiraspoltransgaz in the breakaway region of Transdniestria in Moldova cut off gas supplies to 12 state agencies, including educational facilities, health stations, police stations and prosecutor's offices in the towns of Dubasari and Bender - which border the area controlled by the moldov government.
The decision comes shortly after Russian energy giant Gazprom announced it would stop gas exports to Moldova from January 1 due to alleged overdue debts. Moldova has denied the allegations, saying they are part of Russia's attempt to destabilize the country.
Moldova depends on about 2 billion cubic metres of gas per year from Russia, which is transported through Ukraine to Transdniestria. Here, the gas is used to produce cheap electricity for the territory controlled by the moldovan government.
However, Ukraine has refused to extend the gas transit agreement, which expires on December 31, 2024, further escalating the situation.
Victor Parlicov, Moldova's former energy minister, said the move was part of the Kremlin's plan to "cause chaos and unstable" Moldova. Russia denies the allegations.
Gazprom claims Moldova owes $709 million in gas, but the moldovese government says the real figure is just $8.6 million according to an international audit. Since 2022, Moldova has diversified its gas supplies from Romania and other countries, instead of relying on Russia.
moldovan Prime Minister Dorin Recean criticized Gazprom's decision and called on Russia to consider alternative transport routes, such as the TurkStream gas pipeline through Turkey, Bulgaria and Romania.
The gas crisis in Moldova has not only affected the country but also created controversy between neighboring countries.
Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico criticized Ukraine for refusing to extend the Russian gas transit agreement. However, the Slovakian Foreign Minister denied the country's "opening of a second energy front" against Kiev, refuting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's statement.
