Moldova's separatist Transdniestria

12/1/2025 13:16

Authorities in Moldova's separatist Transdniestria region said on Saturday that energy conservation measures have allowed them to ease restrictions caused by a halt to Russian gas supplies, with the duration of rolling blackouts to be further reduced.



Moldova's pro-European central government renewed its criticism of Russia, saying it caused the energy crisis and now wants to portray itself as the power that was coming to the separatist region's rescue.



Transdniestria, which split from Moldova at the end of Soviet rule, has relied on Russian gas shipped through Ukraine. Authorities in Ukraine, locked in a 34-month-old conflict with Russia, refused to extend a transit deal into 2025.



Russian gas giant Gazprom has said it will not send the gas to Moldova along alternative routes, citing what it describes as Moldovan arrears of $709 million. Moldova, which denounces Russia's invasion of Ukraine, disputes that figure.



Transdniestria's pro-Russian leaders, reporting on the region's official Telegram channel, said daily rolling blackouts would be reduced to three hours on Sunday. The power cuts, eight hours long earlier this week, were cut to five hours on Friday.