Moldovan president says Russia deliberately continues to undermine Moldova's security, endanger lives of Moldovan citizens

Russia is deliberately continuing to undermine the security of Moldova and endanger the lives of our citizens. Even if Russia wants us weak, it is up to us to remain strong and keep Moldova dignified. President Maia Sandu today made statements to this effect, after Russia’s bombings in Ukraine had led to the disconnection of the Isaccea–Vulcanesti power line, and the government proposed declaring a state of alert in the energy sector.

“Russia is deliberately continuing to undermine the security of Moldova and endanger the lives of our citizens. It no longer limits itself to energy blackmail, interference in elections, activating criminal groups for destabilization, and deceitful propaganda, but it constantly attacks Ukraine’s infrastructure and, increasingly often, puts at risk the security and health of Moldovan citizens,” Maia Sandu said.

The head of state stressed that, after the shelling of the Ukrainian hydropower plant, which led to the pollution of the Dniester River and left four districts without water, last night a new brutal attack caused the disconnection of the Isaccea–Vulcanesti line, which in certain periods covers 60–70 per cent of our electricity consumption.

Maia Sandu emphasized that “all this is not accidental, but deliberate actions by Russia to weaken Moldova and leave it in the dark.”

The Moldovan president assured that state institutions would step in with the necessary measures on the coming period, in order to manage the situation.

“Yet, we have resisted every time. We are acting to protect our citizens and I am sure we will overcome these challenges as well. State institutions will intervene with the necessary measures in the coming period. The system is working, but it is under enormous pressure,” Maia Sandu said.

The head of state also addressed a message to the citizens.

“Dear citizens, now we need to be united, to understand the seriousness of the situation, to be resilient. We must save energy, share messages from official sources, be united, be dignified. Even if Russia wants us weak, it is up to us to remain strong and keep Moldova dignified,” Maia Sandu concluded.

The Isaccea–Vulcanesti overhead power line on March 23 evening was disconnected, following attacks on energy infrastructure in southern Ukraine. Under these conditions, the authorities activated alternative routes for power supply, including the four 110 kV interconnection lines between Romania and Moldova. As a result, the government today held an extraordinary meeting and approved the proposal to declare a state of emergency in the energy sector for a period of 60 days. The draft is to be examined by parliament today.