An oil spill linked to a Russian missile strike on Ukraine’s Dniester hydroelectric plant has contaminated Moldova’s primary water source, prompting authorities to cut supplies to the northern city of Balti.
Ukrainian officials said the attack on March 7 caused oil to leak into the Dniester River, with slicks reaching Moldovan territory by March 10. The river supplies drinking water to most of Moldova and parts of southwestern Ukraine.
Moldova declared a 15-day state of alert across the Dniester basin. Environment Minister Gheorghe Hajder stated water would only be restored once oil levels fell below 0.1mg per liter. Readings Monday night remained too high for Balti-the country’s third-largest city-and three other northern towns.
Schools in Balti shifted to online learning as tanker deliveries of potable water began.
Moldovan diplomats summoned Russia’s ambassador, Oleg Ozerov, and presented him with a bottle of polluted river water. He declined to comment. President Maia Sandu held Russia “fully responsible” for the environmental crisis.
The spill also affected Ukraine’s Chernivtsi, Vinnytsya, and Odesa regions. Ukrainian officials claim the leak source is now contained.
Separately, Moldovan police reported a live Russian drone armed with explosives landed 500 meters inside its border near the village of Tudora.