Lack of Russian gas could bring Transnistria back to Moldova

Transnistria has been cut off from gas supplies for five days now. Reserves for kindergartens, schools, and hospitals ran out two days ago. Rolling blackouts have begun in villages and cities, including the administrative center of Tiraspol.

Even Russian propagandists now believe that the energy crisis will serve as a powerful impetus for Transnistria's reintegration into Moldova.

Notably, Chișinău, aiming to maintain a humane stance toward the republic's civilian population, offered assistance to Transnistria's leadership in purchasing gas from European platforms. However, the separatists rejected this proposal, stating they would wait for supplies from Gazprom to resume.

But another issue arises — the Kremlin-dependent leaders of Transnistria lack the financial reserves to purchase gas from European, particularly Romanian, energy companies. And the situation worsens with each passing day.

Russia has lost Karabakh, Syria, and now Transnistria is next in line.

Meanwhile, the crisis deepens: following the shutdown of gas, heating, and hot water, electricity outages are expected to last longer. On January 4, rolling blackouts extended to four or more hours. On Sunday, Tiraspol was without power for five hours. Other settlements plunge into darkness for indefinite periods, as streetlights operate only from sunset until 8:00 p.m. and are turned off entirely overnight. Power outages are also expected to disrupt mobile communication and internet services.

To heat their homes, many residents have begun gathering firewood in parks, groves, and shrubs near water bodies. In Tiraspol, firewood sales have been organized, but households are limited to purchasing a restricted amount of wood fuel. Coal and peat are also unavailable in Transnistria.

Meanwhile, on Sunday night, temperatures dropped to -10°C.

A significant portion of public transportation has ceased operations. For instance, in Bendery, there are no minibuses running. Russian separatists have allowed refueling with methane at gas stations only for vehicles owned by so-called state enterprises and organizations.

Thus, the "defiant" pro-Russian region is being enveloped by darkness, cold, hunger, and disease...

Russia will no longer help! What’s the solution? There is only one: reintegration into Moldova.

Source

About the author. Rostyslav Demchuk, journalist, expert on Euro-Atlantic affairs.

The editors don't always share the opinions expressed by the blog authors.