Part 6/9:

Along with the cessation of gas transport through Ukraine, Moldova is experiencing a separate but related energy crisis. Gazprom, the Russian gas supplier, claims that Moldova owes an exorbitant amount for past gas shipments, while the Moldovan government disputes this figure. In retaliation, Russia has ceased gas shipments to Moldova from January 1, coinciding with Ukraine's own decision to cut off Russian gas transit.

A crucial player in this scenario is Transnistria, a narrow sliver of land that has remained de facto independent since the fall of the Soviet Union and maintains a presence of Russian troops. Traditionally reliant on free gas shipments from Russia, Transnistria's situation has become dire with the cutoff of supplies—especially during the harsh winter.