In brief
Following a Russian attack on the Dniester hydroelectric plant, an oil spill has contaminated the Dniester River, prompting Moldova to cut water supplies to the city of Balti. The government has declared a state of alert, and the water crisis is affecting not only Moldova but also parts of Ukraine. Officials are delivering drinkable water to affected areas while awaiting pollution levels to decrease.
An oil spill which has been blamed on a Russian attack in Ukraine has polluted a major river in Moldova, prompting authorities to cut water supplies to the northern city of Balti.
Ukrainian authorities said oil began leaking after a Russian strike on the Dniester hydroelectric plant on 7 March, with the first slicks appearing three days later on the Dniester river - a vital source for most of Moldova and the Odesa region in southwestern Ukraine.
Moldova imposed a 15-day state of alert in the Dniester river basin on Monday as a precaution.
Russia's ambassador was summoned by the foreign ministry in protest and shown a bottle of cloudy water from the polluted river. He refused to comment to reporters as he left the meeting, according to Moldovan media.
Moldovan Environment Minister Gheorghe Hajder said supplies would only be restored once oil levels had been brought down to the recommended limit of 0.1mg per litre of water.
Three other northern towns have been hit by the water crisis.
The pollution has also affected water supplies in Ukraine, with contamination in the Chernivtsi, Vinnytsya and Odesa regions.
Schools in the Balti area have moved to online learning, while authorities focus on delivering tankers of drinkable water to the local population.
Maia Sandu, Moldova's pro-European president, has been a strong supporter of Ukraine since Russia's full-scale invasion in February 2022, praising Kyiv for protecting her own country from attack. She has stated Russia bears full responsibility for the oil pollution.
Meanwhile, Moldovan police reported an active Russian drone, armed with an explosive device, landing within 500m of the Ukraine-Moldova border.
