Moldova

On January 3, Transnistria will introduce hour-long power cuts due to excessive consumption. The restrictions will affect Tiraspol, Ribnita, Bender and other settlements from 18:00 to 22:00.

The National Agency of Moldova has approved new utility tariffs. The cost of heat will increase to 2,510 lei per gigacalorie, and electricity will rise by 65-75%.

“Tiraspoltransgaz” stopped supplying gas to a number of settlements controlled by Chisinau. Residential houses, boiler houses, schools, hospitals and state institutions were left without gas supply.

State-owned Energocom has purchased electricity from Ukraine to cover the deficit as of January 2. Additionally, an agreement was signed with Energoatom to supply energy at night.

Moldova was granted the right to increase its electricity import quota from the EU from 315 MW to 600 MW. This is possible provided that the electricity is not used by other importers.

After the termination of Russian gas transit through Ukraine, Transnistria was left without supplies and Moldova switched to alternative energy sources. The Right Bank receives 52% of its electricity from Romania and 45% from local sources.

The Moldovan TPP in Transnistria has stopped supplying electricity to the right bank of the Dniester and switched to coal fuel. Stocks of Donetsk coal will be sufficient for 50 days to meet the humanitarian needs of the region.

On January 1, 2025, Ukraine stopped the transit of Russian gas through its territory. The EU declares its readiness for change, although the reaction of member states is mixed, ranging from support to concern.

The dog of Moldovan President Maia Sandu, nicknamed Codrutz, escaped from the administration because of loud fireworks on New Year's Eve. The animal was found on the streets of Chisinau and returned home.

Wholesale prices for tangerines in Europe have reached record levels, approaching €2 per kilogram. The reason was a poor harvest in Turkey and weather disasters in the EU in 2024.

Russia stops supplying gas through Ukraine after the transit agreement expires on January 1. Europe has found alternative sources, but the loss of Russian gas has affected the EU economy.

Bulgaria offers Moldova access to LNG and assistance through Bulgargaz in the event that Russian gas supplies are cut off on January 1. The countries have already signed a document on crisis response.

The separatist authorities of Transnistria have cut off gas supplies to 12 state institutions due to the upcoming cessation of transit from Russia. “Gazprom plans to stop gas exports to Moldova on January 1 due to debts.

Moldova has uncovered a channel for illegal migration of Ukrainian men through the Transnistrian section of the border. A 23-year-old Moldovan who helped smuggle Ukrainians to the EU was detained.

Moldova's prime minister has declared that he does not recognize the debt to Gazprom, which plans to cut off gas supplies in 2025. The country has diversified its gas sources and is considering applying to international arbitration.

“Gazprom has announced that it will stop supplying gas to Moldova from January 1, 2025, due to alleged debts. Prime Minister Dorin Recean said the country was ready for this and had alternative sources of supply.

“Gazprom will stop supplying gas to Moldova on January 1, 2025, due to non-payment of debts. This could lead to an energy crisis in the country and force it to buy electricity at higher prices.

The Moldovan parliament has adopted the National Defense Strategy for 2024-2034, which recognizes Russia as the main threat. The document envisages an increase in defense spending and integration into EU military structures.

The Cabinet of Ministers has approved strategies for reforming psychoneurological institutions until 2034 and developing border infrastructure until 2030. Both documents are part of the Ukraine Facility Plan.

On Christmas Day, 68,000 people crossed the border on December 25, which is significantly less than in previous days. Border guards note the highest passenger traffic dynamics during martial law during the New Year holidays.

The SBGS reports a decrease in attempts to illegally cross the border from August to December 2023. Most violations are recorded on the border with Romania and Moldova, and the least - with Poland.

The Border Police of Moldova reported a possible violation of airspace by two Russian missiles on December 25. The Ministry of Defense of the country denies the violation, stating that the monitoring system did not detect any missiles.

Russia's massive attack on Ukraine is a response to proposals for a “Christmas truce,” Minister Sibiga said. According to him, the Russian missile also violated the airspace of Moldova and Romania.

Romania's Defense Ministry denies that a Russian missile crossed its airspace on December 25. NATO surveillance systems did not detect any border violations, and an investigation is underway.

Moldovan President Maia Sandu announced that a Russian missile violated her country's airspace during the Christmas holidays. The missile flew in the direction of Chernivtsi, and Poland activated its air force in response to the massive attack.

Moldovan President Maia Sandu has officially taken office for the next four years. At the ceremony, she noted the difficult times for the country due to regional crises and war near the borders.

Vitaliy Mykolenko, a footballer for the Ukrainian national team and Everton, and his wife Victoria are expecting their first child. The player recently suffered a foot injury before the Euros and missed the match against Romania.

Moldova will be able to use the unused part of the 2,100 MW quota for electricity imports from the EU shared with Ukraine. The country plans to import 400 MW through Romanian power lines to cover the deficit on the Right Bank.

Electricity consumption remains high due to lower temperatures. Due to weather conditions, two settlements in Kyiv region are without power, and energy is imported from five countries.

Border guards have recorded the highest number of border crossings during martial law - 150-154 thousand people per day. In the morning, there are no queues to leave Ukraine, and the border with Moldova is the least busy.