A Russian offensive on a hydroelectric plant in southern Ukraine led to an oil spill affecting the water systems of neighboring Moldova, officials reported Monday. The incident caused a complete cutoff of water supplies in Moldova’s second-largest city as international concerns over the region’s stability grew.
President Maia Sandu, eager to bring Moldova into the European Union, expressed that Russia was to blame for the contamination of the Dniestr River. The pollution led the Environment Ministry to halt water services in Balti and other towns, prompting schools to switch to online learning.
In the aftermath of the spill, a 15-day environmental alert was declared. President Sandu, who has consistently criticized Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine, stated that the fallout underscored the ongoing impact of the conflict. The European Union, a financial supporter of Moldova, has pledged assistance to manage the crisis.
(With inputs from agencies.)