They say their region is facing “not only an energy crisis, but a humanitarian one.” Analysts say this understates the problem, which has raised questions about the future of the de facto state. For years, Russian gas flowed through Ukraine to Moldova and elsewhere in Europe. David Cruz Sanz/Sipa USA/APNow Russian gas supplies have been cut off, that plant is producing vastly less energy. After 30 years of abundant, low-cost energy, Transnistrians would now have to pay the same rate as those in Moldova proper. Russia may also stand to gain from declining to end the energy crisis in Transnistria – whose people it claims to support.

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Persons: ” Vadim Pistrinciuc, –, Vadim Krasnoselsky, ” Vadim Krasnoselsky, Vladislav Bachev, Sergey Obolonik, David Cruz Sanz, Sipa, Maia Sandu, ” Nicu Popescu, Moldova’s, Krasnoselsky, Varnita, Aurel Obreja, Dmitry Peskov, ”, Peskov, Russia’s, Sandu, Popescu, Volodymyr Zelensky, Maria Zakharova, ” Pistrinciuc Organizations: CNN, Analysts, Institute for Strategic Initiatives, Russia’s, Moldovan, region’s Ministry, Internal Affairs, Gazprom, Russian, Romania –, Western, “, Sandu, Kremlin, Reuters, Kyiv, Foreign, ISI Locations: Transnistria, Moldova, Ukraine, Russia, Moscow, Europe, Austria, Hungary, Slovakia, Soviet Union, Bendery, Tiraspol, Romania, Chisinau, “ Moldova, Moldovan, Turkey, ” Transnistria, United States, Russian