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Moldova says 'massive' blackouts result of Russian strikes on Ukraine

"As a result of Russia's bombardment on the Ukrainian energy system, within the last hour we have massive electricity blackouts in the whole country. Moldelectrica is working to reestablish electricity supplies," Moldovan deputy prime minister Andrei Spinu wrote on Facebook.

AFP WORLD
Published November 23,2022
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Moldova said Wednesday that it was again suffering from widespread blackouts that were the result of a fresh barrage of Russian strikes on energy infrastructure in neighbouring Ukraine.

"Massive blackout in Moldova after today's Russian attack on Ukraine's energy infrastructure," Andrei Spuni, who also serves as infrastructure minister, said on Twitter.

"Moldelectrica, TSO (transmission system operator), is working to reconnect more than 50% of the country to electricity."

Power outages were also reported in the breakaway Russian-backed region of Transdniestria, the local interior ministry said in a statement.

In a separate post on Telegram, Spuni said the situation was a repeat of Nov. 15, when Moldova also suffered blackouts after Russian missile strikes.

Moldova is one of Europe's poorest countries and has the highest per-capita intake of Ukrainian refugees. It shares a border with Ukraine, a fellow ex-Soviet state, and is connected to its power grid.

Both the Moldovan police force and Premier Energy, a Moldovan company that supplies electricity across the south and centre of the country, asked people to remain calm and take precautionary measures.