The separatist Moldovan region of Transnistria ordered a second day of rolling blackouts on Saturday, as a shutdown in Russian gas supplies starved the pro-Moscow self-proclaimed state of energy.
The tiny breakaway republic bordering Ukraine has been unable to provide heating and hot water to its residents since Wednesday, when Moscow cut off gas supplies to Moldova over a financial dispute.
“In Transnistria today, January 4, there will be rolling blackouts for three hours,” Transnistria’s government said on Telegram.
Parts of the separatist region’s largest city Tiraspol will again be cut off, as well as smaller towns and villages, it added.
The region’s pro-Moscow leader, Vadim Krasnoselsky, said Saturday the blackouts would have to be prolonged as the region runs out of energy supplies.
A shutdown in Russian gas supplies starved the pro-Moscow self-proclaimed state of energy, and the separatist Moldovan region of Transnistria ordered a second day of rolling blackouts on Saturday.
Moscow cut off gas supplies to Moldova on Wednesday over a financial dispute, leaving the small breakaway republic that borders Ukraine without hot water or heating.
On Telegram, the Transnistrian government announced that there would be rolling blackouts for three hours today, January 4.
Tiraspol, the largest city in the separatist region, will once more be cut off, along with smaller villages and towns, the statement said.
Vadim Krasnoselsky, the region’s pro-Moscow leader, stated on Saturday that as the region’s energy supplies run out, the blackouts will need to be extended.
“It is three hours today. Experts are adamant about extending the power outages starting tomorrow to four hours,” he stated.
The biggest power plant in Transnistria has already shifted to burning coal.
A significant gas transit deal between Moscow and Kyiv to transport gas throughout Ukraine ended on Wednesday, the same day that Russia’s Gazprom shut off gas to Moldova due to a financial disagreement with the Moldovan government in Chisinau.
Transnistria is in crisis as a result of the one-two punch; authorities are advising citizens to gather firewood to stay warm and most industry is shutting down.
Although the small area, which is recognized internationally as part of Moldova, has been de facto occupied by pro-Russian forces since the fall of the Soviet Union and is home to fewer than half a million people.
To the chagrin of Moscow, Moldova, a small former Soviet republic positioned between Ukraine and EU member Romania, wants to integrate into the EU.
