Russia decided to stop gas supplies to occupied Transnistria from the New Year

Russia's Gazprom has announced that it will stop supplying gas to the temporarily occupied Transnistria from January 1, 2024.

The restrictions will remain in effect until Moldovagaz returns all the money for gas and fines for non-payment to the Kremlin, Zaxid.net reports.

Vadim Cheban, acting head of Moldovagaz, responded to Gazprom's statement. He said that since the end of 2022, Russian gas has been transmitted only to the Transnistrian region. Moreover, under the contract, Russia was supposed to supply gas to the occupied Transnistria until October 2026.

Moldova refused to buy Russian gas in the fall of 2023. Moldovan Energy Minister Victor Parlicov said that the country receives fuel on the European market at lower prices than in Russia. Last year, Moldova also started importing Turkish gas.

Following Moldova's refusal to buy Russian gas, Gazprom said the country owed it $800 million. However, President Maia Sandu said that auditors from Norway and the United Kingdom did not confirm the debt.

Earlier, on December 26, the Moldovan parliament adopted a defense strategy, which identified the main threats to the country and provided for an increase in spending on the republic's defense capabilities. In early December, the Moldovan government and the head of the regime that controls the temporarily occupied territory of Transnistria announced their intention to declare a state of emergency in the energy sector. Later, the state of emergency was introduced.

On December 6, Moldovan Prime Minister Dorin Recean announced the dismissal of Energy Minister Victor Parlicov. It was noted that his resignation was due to managerial mistakes that led to a critical situation. The Moldovan Prime Minister also warned of the possibility of partial or complete cessation of energy supplies.

In November, Moldovan Energy Minister Victor Parlikov said that the Rybnytsia Metallurgical Plant was left without electricity and was operating at minimum capacity. According to the then-Moldovan minister, Russia is gradually disconnecting Moldova's energy system from Ukraine through its attacks.

Кирило Бойко