The separatist Moldovan region of Transnistria has agreed to purchase natural gas from Moldovagaz to address its ongoing energy crisis, the region’s Moscow-backed leader Vadim Krasnoselsky said Monday.

The crisis prompted a question: will the breakaway region, occupied by Russia since 1992, survive without Russian gas? Free-of-charge Russian gas had been the backbone of Transnistria's economy and ensured the preservation of the breakaway region and its de facto independence from Moldova.

The decision will allow Transnistria to provide heat and electricity to residents and social institutions more quickly, the so-called PMR leader Vadim Krasnoselsky said, adding that the Tiraspolgaz company sent a notice to Moldovagaz on Jan.