By fueling an energy crisis in Transnistria, the Kremlin seeks to destabilize Moldova ahead of elections

Since January 1, Ukrainian gas pipelines have no longer transported Russian gas to Europe following the expiration of the contract linking Gazprom to Naftogaz, the Ukrainian energy company. Beyond Austria and Slovakia, which both depended on Russian gas for their supplies, Moldova also stopped receiving gas due to the cessation of deliveries by Gazprom.

• The group accuses the Moldovan state of “refusing to settle its debts”, which reportedly reached an amount of $709 million. Following an audit, Chișinău admitted to having a debt with Gazprom but for a much lower amount: 8.6 million.
• Until then, Transnistria received its gas for free from Gazprom, which in return billed Chișinău for the consumption of the pro-Russian independence region. .
• If Moldova has diversified its energy mix in recent years and imports electricity from Romania, the entire economy of Transnistria, on the border with Ukraine, is today on life support.

The Transnistrian authorities refused the aid offered by Moldova and Ukraine. Since January 1, the Kuchurgan power plant, which generates 70% of the electricity consumed on the east bank of the Dniester, has operated by burning coal, the reserves of which could be used up as early as January 20. For more than two weeks, power cuts have been frequent and almost all economic activity in the region has come to a standstill. .

The Moldovan government accuses Moscow of using a false pretext of unpaid debts in order to destabilize the country ahead of the legislative elections in July.

• If Transnistria suffers the most from the cessation of Russian gas deliveries, it impacts the entire economy of the country. By forcing Chișinău to buy energy at higher prices on European markets, the Kremlin hopes to trigger an inflationary spiral that will harm Sandu’s party ahead of the July election .
• Russia, which deliberately triggered this energy crisis, is now seeking to resolve it. Wednesday January 15, Kommersant reported that a deal to purchase 3 million cubic meters of gas per day, paid for by the Russian state, was under discussion with Transnistrian authorities .

The Russian hybrid war against Europe has considerably intensified since 2022: nearly 60 sabotage operations, assassination attempts, fires, etc. have affected the continent over the last three years. These aim to sow chaos as well as test the infrastructure and defenses of NATO countries. They sometimes directly interfere with democratic life and institutions.