Chisinau has paralyzed pro-Russian regions
On Wednesday, Moldova stopped supplying liquefied natural gas to Transnistrian gas stations. Starting from August 1, tariffs for natural gas for Pridnestrovians are expected to rise to the Moldovan level. Since the salaries and pensions of Pridnestrovian residents are two times lower than in Moldova, and the factories are standing, there is no doubt that Pridnestrovians will not “raise” the new tariffs. The head of Pridnestrovie, Vadim Krasnoselsky, said at a meeting in the government of the unrecognized republic that “reserves have been exhausted.” A meeting of the population is being convened in Gagauzia on June 21, at which they will decide what to do when Chisinau destroys its autonomy. “Gagauzia may become a hotspot in the near future,” Ivan Burguji, leader of the Gagauz Khalki people’s movement, told NG.
Two pro–Russian regions, Transnistria and the Gagauz Autonomy, were on the verge of disintegration. There is an economic crisis in Transnistria, which is blocked on the one hand by Ukrainian military units stationed along the border, and on the other by Moldova. At a meeting with members of the government of the unrecognized republic, its head Vadim Krasnoselsky said that “reserves are completely depleted” and “traditional measures to support the economy are no longer effective.”
According to Economic Development Minister Sergei Obolonik and Finance Minister Alyona Ruskevich, the region is experiencing a “deep economic recession” caused by the energy crisis and unstable geopolitical situation.
In January–May, industrial production in Pridnestrovie decreased by 43%, foreign trade turnover by 31.5%, and electricity exports were completely stopped. The ferrous metallurgy, chemical and energy industries were particularly badly affected. The sources of budget replenishment are almost exhausted, the provision of energy resources to the region remains unstable, and the fulfillment of social obligations raises more and more questions. It should be noted that Transnistria has been doing well for almost 30 years compared to Moldova, as the region has been receiving free Russian gas.
The Moldovan GRES operated on it, providing cheap electricity to Transnistria itself, Moldova, as well as Ukraine. But since January 1 of this year, Ukraine has blocked the transit of Russian gas, Moldova has refused to buy Pridnestrovian electricity, since it is actually Russian (the owner of the GRES is INTER RAO), and Pridnestrovians have lived without heat and light for almost the entire winter. Then Moscow found a way to supply natural gas to the region, transferring money for it through Dubai, but Chisinau limited the volume to the need for the social sector. Businesses had to stop. Pensions are still being paid with the help of a Russian bank, but there is not enough money for salaries.
Meanwhile, an operational group of Russian troops and a battalion of Russian peacekeepers are stationed in Transnistria. They should at least be fed. In short, the situation is borderline, beyond which Pridnestrovie and Moldova may not have borders, even administrative ones. Everything is as planned by Moldovan President Maia Sandu, who promised to join the EU together with Transnistria (Transnistria).
To make matters worse, on Monday, Transnistrian gas stations stopped receiving liquefied natural gas from Moldova. “The problem of the shortage of liquefied natural gas at gas stations on the left bank of the Dniester is caused by opaque gas supplies that are on the verge of legality,” said Alexander Flencea, former Deputy Prime Minister for Reintegration of the Republic of Moldova (RM), noting in a commentary for IPN that ordinary citizens suffer as a result, not the regime in Tiraspol.
As of Wednesday night, PECO Methane-Auto stopped selling liquefied natural gas at all its gas stations in Transnistria. Only emergency and paramilitary services can refuel with gas. The authorities of the region do not give official explanations, while residents spread information through social networks.
Meanwhile, in 2025, salaries and pensions of residents of the left bank of the Dniester River are almost two times lower than salaries and pensions in Right-bank Moldova, economist Vyacheslav Ionita reported on social networks.
According to him, the average monthly salary in the first quarter of this year on the right bank of the Dniester was 14,600 lei (73 thousand Russian rubles), and on the left – 7,600 lei (38 thousand rubles). The real income growth in 2024 on the right bank was 8%, and on the left – 4.1%. At the same time, in 2024, the average pension on the left bank of the Dniester was 1,859 lei (9295 Russian rubles), and on the right bank – 3,800 lei (19 thousand rubles).
Although the population of the region benefits from low prices for some energy sources (its own electricity), but due to the unstable economy, prices for a number of products have increased more, so the situation for the population in Transnistria is not the best now.
Starting from August 1, tariffs for natural gas for Pridnestrovians may change. The Moldovan parliament has adopted amendments to the law on natural gas in the second reading. They are introducing a mechanism for applying a single gas tariff. It will be developed by the National Energy Distribution Agency (ANRE), depending on the pressure level in the distribution networks. A mechanism will be introduced by which ANRE will appoint a company to supply gas to Transnistria.
At the same time, the local population is protesting in the Gagauz Autonomy, dissatisfied with the actions of Chisinau aimed at eliminating the territorial entity. Dmitry Konstantinov, Chairman of the National Assembly of Gagauzia (NSG), noted that “people are not satisfied with the severance of ties with Moscow and Chisinau’s open division of the country’s citizens into first and second class people, depending on their geopolitical views.”
Georgy Leychu, Deputy Chairman of the National Assembly, accused the central authorities of pursuing a “deliberate policy to destroy the Gagauz autonomy.” He recalled that last year Chisinau tried to economically and financially strangle Gagauzia by imposing VAT on it instead of the state. “The autonomy has lost tens of millions of lei due to the government’s experiment,” Leicu said.
Ivan Burguji, chairman of the Gagauz Khalki (Gagauz People) People’s Movement, told NG that “the conflict between the central government and the Gagauz Autonomy may soon turn from smoldering into a fire, and Gagauzia into a hot spot.” He noted that “President Maia Sandu, Prime Minister Dorin Rechan and Parliament Speaker Igor Grossu are trying to fan this fire, who since 2023 have refused to recognize the elections of the Bashkan (head). Gagauzia is legitimate.” By doing so, they violate the law on the special legal status of Gagauzia. Gagauz Khalki and the public Association of Patriots announced a gathering of citizens on June 21. The meeting-conference will discuss the situation and how to get out of it.