In late November 2022, Russian missile attacks on Ukraine’s power grid forced the automatic shutdown of critical power lines supplying electricity to Moldova, leading to widespread blackouts across the country.

The Kremlin has used this dependency to exert political pressure, demanding favorable terms in exchange for consistent gas supply.

This article analyzes the profound energy crisis in Moldova , where the country was left without power following massive, coordinated Russian missile strikes on Ukrainian energy infrastructure. The incidents, which became a recurring challenge during the 2022–2023 winter and resurfaced in early 2026, demonstrate how energy is being weaponized to destabilize Eastern Europe. The November 2022 Blackouts: A Turning Point

Because Moldova's Soviet-era power grid remains closely interconnected with Ukraine, attacks on Ukrainian plants (like those near the border) instantly compromise Moldova's stability. Structural Vulnerabilities and Energy Dependency

The resulting energy crisis in 2022 was the worst since Moldova’s independence, forcing the government to seek alternative energy sources from Romania and the EU. Ongoing Crisis (2025-2026) As of early 2026, the situation remains precarious.

Until 2022, Moldova was almost 100% reliant on imported gas for electricity, with 70% of its power generated by the MGRES plant in the Russian-backed separatist region of Transnistria.

Over half of Moldova, including the capital Chisinau and the Transnistria region, lost power, demonstrating the direct spillover effects of Russia's infrastructure war.