Moldova claims that Russia is deliberately fueling the energy crisis in Transnistria for propaganda purposes.

The energy crisis in Transnistria, triggered by Russia's cessation of gas supplies since January 1, is part of a broader Russian strategy of manipulation and propaganda, stated Moldovan government spokesperson Daniel Vodă on January 6, as reported by Kyiv Independent.

“Russian propaganda seeks to create a narrative where Moldova is portrayed as the troublemaker, despite the government offering clear solutions to avert the crisis,” he said.

Russian “Gazprom” halted gas supplies to Moldova, citing alleged unpaid debts by “Moldovagaz.” Moldovan officials refuted these claims, noting that an international audit failed to confirm the existence of any debts.

Transnistria, a region occupied by Russia since the early 1990s, heavily relies on Russian gas and is facing an industrial collapse due to widespread power and heating outages.

Daniel Vodă stated that the crisis arose from deliberate Russian efforts to instill fear and anxiety.

“This energy crisis is more than just an economic issue – it is part of a larger Russian plan of manipulation and propaganda aimed at creating fear and discontent on both sides of the Dniester,” he said.

Almost 72,000 households and 1,500 multi-story buildings in Transnistria are without heating and hot water, reported Vadim Krasnoselsky, the leader of the Russian-appointed administration in the region.

Previously, Moldova had offered to assist Transnistria in purchasing gas through European platforms, but the locally supported Russian authorities rejected the proposal, claiming that Western energy prices are “higher and unstable.”

Russian propaganda attempted to blame Chișinău for the crisis, alleging that Moldovan authorities intentionally caused power outages to punish the region, Vodă stated.

While the agreement for the transit of Russian gas through Ukraine expired on the same day, “Gazprom” claims that the reason for the suspension was Moldova's debts, not the halt of transit.

As the rest of Moldova transitioned to European energy supplies via Romania, Transnistria remains heavily dependent on Russian gas.