Gas has started flowing into Transnistria through Moldova, funded by the European Union.

Earlier this week, the government of Moldova reached an agreement with the EU for a grant to address the energy crisis that began after the transit of Russian gas through Ukraine was halted on January 1. Moldova will receive a total of 64 million euros, of which 20 million will be allocated for gas payments for Transnistria. Reports indicate that the region, which is not under the control of Moldovan authorities, will receive 3 million cubic meters of gas per day.

The leader of the self-proclaimed Transnistria, Vadim Krasnoselsky, stated that gas is currently being supplied to maintain pressure in the gas transportation system, however, supplies to residential consumers are expected to commence on Sunday. Additionally, the Moldovan GRES located in Transnistria will resume electricity production, which will help end the rolling blackouts that began a month ago. Krasnoselsky expressed gratitude to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen "for her assistance and promptness."

Currently, the agreements provide for gas supplies to the region until February 10.

The Moldovan service of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty notes that this marks the first instance in which the Transnistrian region, which has depended on free supplies of Russian gas for decades, will utilize gas purchased on the European market.

At the beginning of January, the unrecognized Transnistria saw the shutdown of nearly all industrial enterprises, except for food production, due to the cessation of gas supplies. Schedules for electricity provision to residential buildings and social facilities were also introduced. The energy crisis was triggered by the halt of Russian gas transit through Ukraine starting January 1 and Russia's refusal to continue supplies to Moldova via alternative routes due to what Gazprom claims is a mounting debt (Chisinau does not recognize a significant portion of this debt).

• Transnistria – territories of Moldova that are not controlled by Chisinau, located on the eastern bank of the Dniester, with a population largely consisting of Russian speakers. The region hosts around 1,500 Russian soldiers and has declared the unrecognized Transnistrian Moldovan Republic. Chisinau considers the presence of Russian troops in Transnistria illegal and demands their withdrawal, but Moscow ignores these requests.