Moldova’s Cabinet of Ministers has approved the declaration of a state of emergency in the country’s energy sector for 60 days starting 25 March. The decision was taken after a key Moldovan power transmission line was shut down as a result of overnight Russian strikes on Ukraine.
According to the government, the decision requires the approval of the Moldovan parliament, which will meet for an extraordinary session on 24 March.
Earlier today, Moldovan President Maia Sandu said Russian strikes on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure overnight against 24 March had interrupted Moldova’s key energy link to Europe.
“Russia’s strikes on civilian energy infrastructure in Ukraine are a war crime – and an attack on all of us. Alternative routes exist, but the situation remains unstable. Only Russia is responsible for this,” Sandu wrote on social network X.
Moldovan Foreign Minister Mihai Popsoi said the Isaccea-Vulcanesti power line, which connects the energy systems of Moldova and Romania, was affected.
Moldova imports electricity from neighbouring Romania, a member of the European Union, mainly through a line running through southern Ukraine.
Moldovan authorities have said that crashed drones have been found near the line in Ukraine and that “clearance operations” are needed before repairs can be made. There is no information on how long this will take.
The Moldovan government said that four alternative routes for importing electricity were being used, but that “the situation remains unstable”.