Russian energy giant "Gazprom" has halted gas exports to Moldova over unpaid debts, BTA reported.
Russia supplies Moldova with about 2 billion cubic meters of gas annually via Ukraine. This gas is delivered to the separatist region of Transnistria, which uses it to produce cheap electricity that it sells to the rest of Moldova, Reuters recalls.
Moldova's population of 2.5 million people are bracing for extended power outages after Ukraine announced it would not extend its gas transit contract with "Gazprom".
In December, Moldova's parliament approved a state of emergency in the energy sector over concerns about winter energy shortages.
"Gazprom" claims Moldova owes nearly $709 million for past gas supplies, a figure that Chisinau fiercely disputes.
Earlier this week, Moldovan Prime Minister Dorin Recan ordered the government to begin preparing for a possible nationalization of the gas company "Moldovagaz".
"Gazprom" owns 50 percent of "Moldovagaz". Transnistria controls about 13 percent of the gas company, while the Moldovan government controls 35.6 percent.