“The cutoff of Russian gas supplies to Transnistria, a separatist region of Moldova, brought to a halt all industrial enterprises except those involved in food production.”, — write: epravda.com.ua
The cutoff of Russian gas supplies to Transnistria, a separatist region of Moldova, brought to a halt all industrial enterprises except those involved in food production. This is reported by the Reuters agency with reference to the words of a local official. The region, with a population of about 450,000 people, was hit hard and immediately after Russian gas supplies to central and eastern Europe via Ukraine were cut off on Wednesday. “All industrial enterprises are idle, with the exception of those engaged in the production of food products, that is, they directly ensure the food security of Transnistria,” said the first deputy prime minister of the region, Serhii Obolonik, to a local TV channel. Advertising: “It is still too early to judge how the situation will develop. The problem is so serious that if it is not solved for a long time, we will face irreversible changes – enterprises will lose the ability to resume work.” European gas buyers such as Slovakia and Austria have prepared to cut off Rosytsya gas supplies through Ukraine by securing alternative sources. However, Transnistria—despite ties with Moscow and the presence of 1,500 Russian troops—found itself in a critical state. The local power company turned off heating and hot water in households on Wednesday, urging families to stay warm in one room, cover windows with curtains or blankets and use electric heaters.Advertisement: Transnistrian leader Vadym Krasnoselskyi said the region has gas reserves that are likely to enough for 10 days of limited use in northern areas and twice as long in the south. He said that the region’s main power plant has switched from gas to coal and will be able to supply electricity to residents in January and February. Russia supplied about 2 billion cubic meters of gas per year to Transnistria, including to a power plant that also supplied energy to all of Moldova. Currently, Moldova imports more than 60% of its electricity from neighboring Romania. To remind: Transnistria, a separatist region of Moldova, stopped supplying heating and hot water to households after gas supplies to Europe from Russia via Ukraine stopped. The authorities of Transnistria, a separatist region of Moldova, on December 29, 2024 cut off the supply of gas to several state institutions due to the termination of an agreement that allowed the transit of Russian gas through Ukraine. Russia’s Gazprom announced that it will stop gas supplies to Moldova’s Transnistria from January 1, 2025 due to “non-fulfillment of payment obligations.” The energy companies of Moldova – Moldovagaz and Energocom are ready to assist Tiraspoltransgaz in organizing gas purchases at any -what European platform on market terms.