Russia halts gas supply to Poland, Bulgaria

Russia on Wednesday cuts off gas supply to Poland and Bulgaria over the explosion in a breakaway region of Moldova, which made Ukraine accuse Russia of plot to extend the Ukraine war into Europe.

The Russian energy giant, Gazprom, declared on Wednesday that it has cut supplies to Poland and Bulgaria, as Russia wages back economic war against Europe over the Ukraine conflict. The supplier insists on payment being made in rubles for gas supplies to the countries.

There was fear after explosions hit certain targets which include the state security ministry, a radio tower and military unit in Moldova’s region of Transnistria, which was said to be occupied by Russian forces for decades, after Russian commander raised alarm that Russians resident in the country were being oppressed. The authorities now fear that Moldova could be Russia’s next target, noting that Russia capitalized on similar fears to declare military operations in Ukraine on February 24.

Mykhaylo Podolyak, a Ukraine presidential aide, had written on Twitter: “Russia wants to destabilise the Transnistrian region.

“If Ukraine falls, tomorrow Russian troops will be at Chisinau’s gates;” that is the capital of Moldova.

Meanwhile, Gazprom maintained on Wednesday that it has notified Bulgaria’s Bulgargaz and Poland’s PGNiG about the “suspension of gas supplies from April 27 until payment is made” in rubles.

President Putin had last month ordered that Russia would only accept payment for deliveries in its national currency. The measure will save Russia from transactions in foreign currencies after sanctions from Europe and America.