"Transnistria" has halted gas supplies to several state institutions. What is the reason behind this decision?

On Sunday, the "authorities" of the so-called Transnistria halted gas supplies to several state institutions. This is related to the fact that the transit of Russian gas through Ukraine is set to stop on January 1.

This information was reported by RBK-Ukraine citing Reuters.

The disconnection was implemented two days before the expiration of the transit agreement, which Ukraine refuses to extend. As reported by Reuters, this has raised concerns about widespread power outages in Moldova during the New Year.

The company "Tiraspoltransgaz," responsible for gas distribution in the pro-Russian separatist region, announced that 12 state institutions were cut off from gas supplies in the areas of Dubossary and Bendery. These are localities located on the border with territories controlled by the Moldovan government.

The list of 12 facilities includes four educational institutions, a medical facility, as well as a police station and prosecutor's office.

The cutbacks were implemented the day after "Gazprom" announced it would suspend gas exports to Moldova starting January 1 due to unpaid debts from Chișinău.

Moldova, in turn, disputes the accusations of debt for past supplies and blames Russia for destabilizing the situation in the country.

"The real goal of the Kremlin here is to destabilize Moldova and plunge it into chaos," recently stated the former energy minister of the country, Victor Pavlikov.

Moscow denies all such accusations.

Reuters reports that Russia supplies Moldova with approximately 2 billion cubic meters of gas per year, which is transported through Ukraine to the so-called "Transnistria," where a thermal power plant generates cheap electricity that is then sold to government-controlled areas of Moldova.

Currently, Chișinău and Transnistria have declared a state of emergency, including measures to reduce electricity consumption during peak hours.

It is worth noting that the cessation of Russian gas through Ukraine threatens to lead to an energy collapse in "Transnistria." Specifically, starting January 1, 2025, heating, hot water, as well as gas and electricity supplies may be cut off there.

For more details, read the RBK-Ukraine article.