Moldova has declared a 60-day state of emergency in its energy sector after a key power line was cut off following Russian strikes on Ukraine. The country’s prime minister Alexandru Munteanu urged people to “avoid unnecessary consumption, especially during peak hours” and “stay united”.

Moldova has suffered repeated power cuts since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, with the country’s Soviet-era energy systems linked with its neighbour. Overnight Russian strikes on Ukraine’s energy grid on Tuesday disconnected the high-voltage Isaccea-Vulcanesti power line connecting southern Moldova to Romania. Mr Munteanu said the disruption was “not an accident”.

He said: “Russia’s attacks on the civilian energy infrastructure in Ukraine represent a war crime, but also an attack on us, here in the Republic of Moldova…Russia is the only one responsible for this.”

Moldovan president, Maia Sandu, accused Moscow of “deliberately undermining” the country’s security and endangering its citizens.

Authorities have urged residents to use electricity “rationally” during peak hours while repairs are carried out.

They also said crashed drones had been identified close to the damage line and that “demining operations” were needed before work could begin.

Repairs to the line — which can provide up to 70% of Moldova’s electricity usage at one time — are expected to take around five to seven days.

The state of emergency began on Wednesday after being overwhelmingly voted through in Moldova’s Parliament a day earlier.

Mr Munteanu said this will allow authorities to “act faster: mobilise additional resources, protect critical infrastructure and, if necessary, take additional measures to limit the effects of the crisis”.

He denied that authorities are “panicking”, insisting the state of emergency is a “measure of responsibility”.

“We remain vigilant and act for the safety of every citizen,” he added.

Russia has repeatedly targeted Ukraine’s civilian infrastructure, such as energy facilities, dams and ports, throughout the full-scale war.

The impact has reverberated across Moldova, a former Soviet republic with EU candidate status.

Last week, tens of thousands of Moldovans were left without water after another Russian strike on a hydroelectric plant in Ukraine resulted in oil polluting a major river that flows through both countries.

Russia denies attempting to destabilise Moldova.