Moldovans left without water after Russian attack on Ukraine affects river

The EU has sent assistance to Moldova after a Russian attack on a Ukrainian hydroelectric station, which is suspected of polluting the Dniester River, left hundreds of thousands without safe drinking water.

The river, also known as the Nistru river, flows through both countries. The Russian attack took place upstream of Moldova.

“Russia’s attack on Ukraine’s Novodnistrovsk hydropower plant has spilled oil into the Nistru River, threatening Moldova’s water supply,” wrote President Maia Sandu. “Russia bears full responsibility,” she added.

The city of Bălți and the surrounding areas in northern Moldova have been without running water for several days, according to Prime Minister Alexandru Munteanu.

 “Our teams are working around the clock on the ground, using all available resources, and our priority is to restore the water supply. However, this will only be done under conditions that fully ensure people’s safety and health,” wrote Munteanu.

Russia’s ambassador to Moldova, Oleg Ozerov, was summoned by the government on Monday to answer for the damage, and was “gifted” a plastic bottle filled with polluted water from the Dniester River.

Brussels triggered its Civil Protection mechanism on Tuesday to provide emergency assistance to the affected areas of the Moldova, which is an EU candidate country. Luxembourg and neighboring Romania have sent rescue supplies, it was announced today.

Russia has frequently targeted Ukraine’s energy infrastructure since invading the country more than four years ago. Neighboring countries have been affecting previously, too, with Russian drones sometimes violating EU countries’ airspace.