This separatist sliver of Moldova will run out of energy in three weeks, the head of its Russia-backed government has said. Once proud, go-it-alone and richer than their neighbors in Moldova ...

The leader of Moldova's breakaway region of Transdniestria has travelled to Moscow for talks to resolve an energy crisis following the suspension of Russian gas deliveries, Transdniestria's news agency reported on Tuesday.

Every time planned electrical outages are imposed on his village in southern Moldova, 73-year-old retiree Vasili Donici passes the time by solving crosswords and puzzles in a room he illuminates using a small gas lamp.

Russia plans to resume natural gas flows to Moldova’s pro-Russian breakaway region of Transnistria amid an energy crisis, according to Vadim Krasnoselsky, leader of the self-proclaimed republic.

"Russian propaganda tries to create a story in which Moldova becomes a ‘problematic actor,’ although the government has proposed clear solutions to avoid the crisis," Moldovan government spokesperson Daniel Voda said on Jan.

President Vadim Krasnoselsky added that Transnistria and Russia are set to continue cooperation in various spheres, including socio-economic, medical, educational

Oleg Ozerov spoke in favor of restoring negotiations in the international "5+2" format on the Transnistrian settlement and direct dialogue between Tiraspol and Chisinau, noting that Russia is ready to

Russia has long used its plentiful energy resources as a tool to exert control over the region, where independence from Russian energy is tied to political sovereignty.

The energy crisis in Transnistria is being used as a tool of Russian blackmail against Moldova, according to Center for Eastern Studies expert Kamil Całus. "Moscow is leveraging the situation for propaganda purposes and to influence Moldovan voters,

The Kremlin on Thursday said it was willing provide gas to Transnistria, after Russia's cut-off of supplies this month plunged the separatist region of Moldova into an energy crisis.

Kos article was ludicrous. But, there were two links that verified its veracity. The Hill’s Alexander J. Motyl was the original source on Nov. 18: