Breakaway Moldovan region cuts heating and hot water after Russia stops gas flow

1/1/2025 17:51

The breakaway Moldovan region of Transdniestria cut heating and hot water supplies to households on Wednesday after Russia stopped supplying gas via Ukraine.



"There is no heating or hot water," an employee of local energy company told Reuters by phone from Tiraspol, the main city of the breakaway territory. She said she did not know how long the situation would last.



Transdniestria is a pro-Russian entity that split from the rest of Moldova after the Soviet Union collapsed in 1991. It was receiving Russian gas via Ukraine, but that supply route was halted on Wednesday with the expiry of a transit deal between the two warring countries.



A statement on the energy company's website said the heating cuts took effect at 7 a.m. local time on Wednesday, but some facilities such as hospitals were exempt.



It urged residents to dress warmly, gather family members together in a single room, hang blankets or thick curtains over windows and balcony doors, and use electric heaters.