Protests erupted across Transnistria on Friday, with residents of the Moscow-backed separatist region demanding Moldovan authorities provide gas supplies amid an ongoing energy crisis. Russia’s Gazprom halted gas supplies to Transnistria on Jan.

The crisis prompted a question: will the breakaway region, occupied by Russia since 1992, survive without Russian gas? Free-of-charge Russian gas had been the backbone of Transnistria's economy and ensured the preservation of the breakaway region and its de facto independence from Moldova.

Unrecognized Transnistria announced its readiness to purchase natural gas through the Moldovan company Moldovagaz. Tiraspol allegedly notified Chisinau of this

President Volodymyr Zelensky said Saturday that Ukraine was prepared to send coal to fuel a major power plant in the Moldovan breakaway region of Transnistria, hit by an unprecedented energy crisis.

The HPP currently produces 220 megawatts of electricity but Ukrainian specialists could help the plant to reach its full potential of 2 gigawatts. "This is 10 times more than the current level. We are ready to supply coal at a low price or even for free in exchange for electricity for Ukraine and Moldova.

The Russian authorities and the leadership of Moldova’s breakaway region of Transnistria are reportedly exploring a plan to supply gas to the region through purchases on the European spot market, facilitated by an intermediary company,