For Transnistria, the situation worsens because they are accustomed to free resources. Gazprom has demanded that Moldova pay for the gas supplied to Transnistria, leading to significant debts,” said Krutikhin.

Alexander Slusar, a former member of the Moldovan parliament, a "representative of civil society" at Energocom, is confident that the Russian concern Gazprom will soon resume supplies to Transnistria.

The crisis prompted a question: will the breakaway region, occupied by Russia since 1992, survive without Russian gas? Free-of-charge Russian gas had been the backbone of Transnistria's economy and ensured the preservation of the breakaway region and its de facto independence from Moldova.

According to the Kommersant's sources, gas may be purchased from January to April in the amount of up to 3 million cubic meters per day. The outlet estimates the price at $164 million. The costs are likely to be compensated by the Russian budget,

The Moscow-controlled breakaway region of Moldova will receive gas as a "humanitarian gesture" from the Kremlin, while the rest of the country will remain cut off after Russia halted supplies on 1 January,

Moldovagaz JSC recognizes a historical debt to Gazprom of $ 709 million. This was stated on TV8 by the acting board of the company Vadim Cheban. According to him, this is confirmed by internal audit and other relevant documents signed by both parties.

Vadim Krasnoselsky, the head of Moldova's Russian-controlled region of Transnistria, held talks in Moscow regarding the region’s energy crisis, Russian state news agency TASS claimed on Jan. 14, citing sources within Transnistria's administration.

The breakaway Moldovan region of Transnistria will run out of gas used for limited cooking and heating in less than a month, authorities warned Wednesday, as a shutdown in Russian supplies plunges the separatist state into crisis.

Sandwiched between Ukraine and Romania, the tiny republic of Moldova has been easy prey for Russia in the past. Its 2.5 million people are among the poorest in Europe and the Kremlin has been able

( MENAFN - UkrinForm) Ukraine is ready to help Transnistria overcome the energy vacuum, but sees no reaction from those who control the situation on the left bank of the Dniester. This was stated in an address to the nation by President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine, Ukrinform reports.

Russia has long used its plentiful energy resources as a tool to exert control over the region, where independence from Russian energy is tied to political sovereignty.