March 16, 2026, 9:34 a.m.
(PHOTO: Armata Națională)
Moldovan President Maia Sandu has announced an environmental alert in the country due to the consequences of Russia's attack on the Dniester hydroelectric power plant in Chernivtsi region.
According to the president, the only person responsible for this threat is the Russian Federation.
"Russia's attack on the Novodnistrovska hydroelectric power plant in Ukraine led to an oil spill into the Dniester River, which threatens Moldova's water supply. We have declared an environmental alert and are acting to protect our people," the politician wrote on the X platform (Twitter).
Meanwhile, in Odesa Oblast, booms were installed on the Dniester River to prevent the spread of pollution. Measures have also been taken to protect the water intake of the city of Odesa, where additional barriers have been installed to prevent pollutants from entering the water intake channel. As of today, no new pollution sites have been detected. The situation, according to the environmental inspection, is under constant control of environmental services and the regional commission on technogenic and environmental safety and emergencies.
After the recent attack by the aggressor state on the Dniester HPP, the presence of technical oils was detected in the waters of the Dniester. The Ministry of Economy, Environment and Agriculture of Ukraine stated that the pollution, according to preliminary data, is related to the leakage of rocket fuel as a result of Russian shelling on March 7. The pollution spread downstream, in particular in the area of the village of Naslavca in the Republic of Moldova. On March 13, Moldovan Prime Minister Alexandru Munteanu announced that his country had asked the European Union for help due to environmental risks.
Кирило Бойко