Observers and stakeholders are unsure whether recent energy sector developments in Moldova constitute progress or backsliding. Some reforms are underway, such as the unbundling of gas monopoly Moldovagaz, but other recent steps cast doubt on Chisinau’s commitment to energy market liberalization, escaping Russian energy dominance, and anti-corruption imperatives. Moldova, one of the world’s most energy
In the early hours of September 21, Russia launched a wave of airstrikes targeting Ukraine’s energy infrastructure. The attack involved 43 cruise missiles, 36 of which were shot down by Ukrainian air defense forces. The remainder of these missiles hit energy facilities in central and western Ukraine. At least two people were killed in the
With the start of the winter heating season now just a few months away, Ukrainian officials and energy sector experts are having trouble predicting whether the country is far enough along with infrastructure repairs, gas storage, and other measures to counter the threat of renewed Russian airstrikes on the country’s civilian energy infrastructure. Although Ukraine
Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine has led to dramatic changes in the European energy market, with countries across the continent moving to end years of growing reliance on Russian gas. However, more can still be done to safeguard European energy independence and prevent the further weaponization of Russian exports. In the search for greater energy
When Moldova acceded to the EU Energy Community Treaty in 2010, it pledged to restructure away from Soviet centralization and reform its natural gas sector to comply with the EU’s anti-trust laws. More than 13 years later, the path ahead toward unbundling remains long and winding. The issue is urgent, however, because without gas sector
One of the greatest mysteries of the Russo-Ukrainian War is China’s actual policy. While China moves cautiously, it appears to be gradually distancing itself from Vladimir Putin. A little-noticed fact is that Chinese President Xi Jinping is cultivating Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin in quite a blatant fashion. Just two weeks before Putin launched the
Will Vladimir Putin dare to visit the BRICS summit in South Africa this August? In previous years, his attendance would have been taken for granted, but war crimes charges brought by the International Criminal Court in March 2023 are fueling speculation that he could face arrest if he decides to risk the trip. As a
For the past seven months, Russia has been waging a campaign of airstrikes against Ukraine’s civilian energy infrastructure with the goal of plunging the country into darkness. These regular bombardments left millions without heating and electricity for much of the winter season but failed to break Ukraine’s spirit. Crucially, Russia has also been unable to
Ukrainians have long admired Germany for its high standard of living and rule of law. However, for the past nine years, Berlin’s response to Russian aggression against Ukraine has often been a source of disappointment. With Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expected to visit Berlin on May 13, many Ukrainians are hoping Germany will soon be
<img src="https://frontlineupdates.com/news/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/mariupol-1024×880-1687523138.jpg" alt="Russian War Report: Updated Google Earth imagery details destruction in Mariupol“srcset=”https://frontlineupdates.com/news/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/mariupol-1024×880-1687523138-300×258.jpg 300w, https://frontlineupdates.com/news/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/mariupol-1024×880-1687523138-768×660.jpg 768w, https://frontlineupdates.com/news/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/mariupol-1024×880-1687523138.jpg 1024w” /> As Russia continues its assault on Ukraine, the Atlantic Council’s Digital Forensic Research Lab (DFRLab) is keeping a close eye on Russia’s movements across the military, cyber, and information domains. With more than seven years of
