The separatist Moldovan region of Transnistria has been left without centralized heating and hot water after Russian gas shipments through Ukraine were halted on Wednesday. 

The gas halt resulted from Ukraine’s decision not to renew a transit agreement with Russia’s state-owned energy giant Gazprom, effectively blocking Russian gas deliveries through its territory. 

In Transnistria, central heating was turned off after the russian gas supplies were stopped, — rosZMI

The streets are completely empty, there are no people.

People are advised to dress warmly, because no one knows how to solve the problem. pic.twitter.com/z1R8QaY6AD

— Jürgen Nauditt 🇩🇪🇺🇦 (@jurgen_nauditt) January 1, 2025

Ukrainian Energy Minister German Galushchenko described the move as a “historic” effort to stop funding Russia’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine.

Transnistria, a pro-Russian breakaway region in eastern Moldova, is heavily reliant on Russian gas, which fuels its largest power plant, the Kuciurgan plant. This facility also supplies 80% of Moldova’s electricity.

The crisis has further strained relations between Moldova’s pro-European government in Chisinau and Transnistria’s Moscow-backed administration. Moldovan President Maia Sandu, re-elected on a pro-European platform, has accused Russia of weaponizing energy to destabilize Moldova and influence its 2025 parliamentary elections.

The crisis in Transnistria has prompted Chisinau to implement emergency measures, including energy rationing and plans to buy electricity from European suppliers, despite the higher costs. 

According to reports, Transnistria has resisted offers of assistance from Chisinau.

The humanitarian impact caused by the gas shortage is expected to worsen as temperatures in Tiraspol, Transnistria’s capital, drop to minus 1°C and lower. Observers predict many residents may travel to Moldova in search of essential resources.

Aside from Transnistria, the gas halt also affects Slovakia and Hungary, both reliant on Russian energy.