Moldova Declares State of Emergency Following Russian Strikes on Ukraine’s Energy Grid
Moldova’s Parliament voted on Tuesday, March 25, 2026, to impose a 60-day state of emergency in the country’s energy sector after Russian strikes on neighboring Ukraine’s energy grid disconnected a key power line linking Moldova to Romania. The move comes as Moldova faces increasing energy insecurity due to the ongoing Russo-Ukrainian War.
Power Disruption and Emergency Measures
The overnight strikes triggered the disconnection of the high-voltage Isaccea-Vulcanesti power line, which links southern Moldova to EU member Romania. Moldovan authorities have urged citizens to consume electricity “rationally” during peak hours while repairs are underway. Energy Minister Dorin Junghietu estimates repairs will take approximately five to seven days. Moldova also experienced major power outages in January, including in the capital, Chisinau, after a disruption to a power line from Ukraine caused a drop in voltage.
The state of emergency, effective Wednesday, will allow authorities to “act faster: mobilize additional resources, protect critical infrastructure and, if necessary, take additional measures to limit the effects of the crisis,” according to Prime Minister Alexandru Munteanu. He emphasized that the measure is “not a measure of panic, it’s a measure of responsibility.” Seventy-two lawmakers in the 101-seat legislature approved the measure, with 18 abstentions and no votes against.
Russia’s Targeting of Ukrainian Infrastructure and Impact on Moldova
Prime Minister Munteanu directly blamed Russia for the disruption, stating, “Russia’s attacks on the civilian energy infrastructure in Ukraine represent a war crime, but also an attack on us, here in the Republic of Moldova … Russia is the only one responsible for this.” President Maia Sandu echoed this sentiment, asserting that Russia “continues to deliberately undermine the security of the Republic of Moldova and endanger the lives of our citizens.” She highlighted that the disconnection of the Isaccea-Vulcanesti line, which provides 60-70% of Moldova’s electricity consumption during certain periods, was a deliberate act.
Moscow has repeatedly targeted Ukraine’s civilian infrastructure throughout the full invasion, including dams and river ports. The impact of the war has reverberated across Moldova, a former Soviet republic with EU candidate status. Last week, tens of thousands of Moldovans were left without water after a Russian strike on a hydroelectric plant in Ukraine resulted in oil polluting a major river that flows through both countries. The Ukrainian plant supplies water to about 80% of Moldova’s population of approximately 2.5 million.
Historical Context and Neutrality
Moldova’s Soviet-era energy systems remain interconnected with Ukraine, leading to periodic outages since Russia’s full invasion in 2022. Although the war has spilled over into Moldova on multiple occasions, the country is officially neutral and is not a belligerent. Some observers believe Russia may be attempting to create a land corridor to Transnistria or bring Transnistria into the war. Moldova has unofficially imposed sanctions on Russia and accepted Ukrainian refugees since the start of the conflict.
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