CHISINAU, March 16 – Water supplies have been completely shut off to Moldova’s second-largest city after a Russian missile strike on a Ukrainian power facility caused widespread environmental contamination, government officials announced Monday.
The attack on the Novodnistrovsk hydroelectric station in southern Ukraine on March 7 resulted in an oil leak that has contaminated the Dniestr River system, affecting water quality across the border in Moldova. Balti, home to 90,000 residents, along with three smaller communities, will remain without water service for at least another 12 hours extending into Tuesday, according to Moldova’s Environment Ministry.
Educational institutions have been forced to close, with students switching to remote learning as authorities work to address the crisis.
Moldovan officials implemented a 15-day environmental emergency on Sunday as the full scope of the contamination became clear.
“We declared environmental alert and are acting to protect our people,” President Maia Sandu stated on social media. “Russia bears full responsibility.”
Sandu, who has set a goal of bringing Moldova into the European Union before 2030, directly blamed Moscow for the river pollution. The leader of one of Europe’s most economically disadvantaged nations has consistently criticized Russia’s 2022 military invasion of Ukraine and has accused the Kremlin of attempting to overthrow her administration. Russian officials counter that Sandu is promoting anti-Russian sentiment.
Since Sandu took office in 2020, the European Union has offered substantial financial assistance to Moldova. EU Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos announced the bloc’s readiness to provide support in addressing the pollution crisis.
“This is a reminder that Russia’s war does not stop at Ukraine’s borders,” Kos posted on X. “We stand in solidarity with the Republic of Moldova.”
