Gas Crisis Strikes Russian-Backed Transnistria: Society at Risk

Tue Sep 16 2025 08:18:27 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

A gas cutoff from Russia triggers a significant energy crisis in the breakaway region of Transnistria, challenging its survival as temperatures drop.

Residents of Transnistria, a self-proclaimed breakaway region in Moldova supported by Russian forces, are facing a severe energy crisis after Russia halted gas supplies at the start of the new year. The abrupt cutoff has forced local businesses to adapt quickly; a shop previously known for selling flowers and gardening equipment is now bustling with sales of electric heaters to locals desperate for warmth. The store's inventory reflects the dire circumstances, as cheaper models have vanished from shelves, and customers scramble for more expensive heaters.

The crisis has left approximately 350,000 residents of Transnistria grappling with freezing temperatures, forcing the closure of factories and depriving Soviet-era apartments of heating and hot water. Amidst the turmoil, Vadim Krasnoselsky, the region's president who leads an entity recognized by no countries, including Russia, attempted to instill confidence within the community. He reassured citizens, proclaiming, “We will not allow a societal collapse.”

As temperatures continue to plummet, the residents' resilience is being put to the test, raising concerns about the long-term implications of this cut-off on both their lives and the very existence of their breakaway nation.