In unrecognized Transnistria, checkpoints have been removed, as part of the conditions outlined in a gas agreement with Moldova.

These checkpoints were initially established in 2022, citing an alleged ‘terrorist threat’.

During a meeting of the Joint Control Commission, it was announced that main roads, including the entrances and exits to settlements in the eastern regions of Moldova, had been cleared, and concrete barriers had been removed.

At the upcoming meeting of the commission, the issue of returning to normal operations will be addressed.

The Moldovan government reports that military observers from the Joint Peacekeeping Forces have confirmed that main roads, as well as the entrances and exits to settlements in the eastern regions of Moldova within the Security Zone, had been cleared. The concrete barriers and related infrastructure have also been dismantled.

On January 1, 2025, Ukraine halted the transit of Russian gas, which continued to be received by several EU countries and unrecognized Transnistria.

Meanwhile, Moldova rejected Russia’s request to continue gas supplies to Transnistria via an alternative route through the Balkans.

On December 28, 2024, Gazprom officially announced it would halt gas supplies to Transnistria in January due to ‘unfulfilled payment obligations.’

As a result, the supply of heat and hot water to residential buildings in Transnistria has been interrupted. In high-rise buildings, gas is now only available for cooking.

The gas is being supplied from reserves in the pipeline system, but this will continue only until the pressure in the network reaches a critical level.

Industrial enterprises in Transnistria have halted operations due to energy shortages, and rolling blackouts have been implemented since January 3.

Meanwhile, Moldovan Prime Minister Dorin Recean suggests that Russia may consider withdrawing its troops from Transnistria as part of broader negotiations on Ukraine and EU security.