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The Independent UK
The Independent UK
National
Stephen McGrath and Aurel Obreja

Major pollution leaves communities without water following Russian attack

  • A Russian strike on Ukraine's Novodnistrovsk hydropower plant on 7 March caused oil pollution in the Dniester River, leaving tens of thousands of Moldovans without water.
  • Moldovan President Maia Sandu directly blamed Russia for the contamination, which threatens the water supply for approximately 80 per cent of Moldova's 2.5 million residents.
  • Moldova's environment ministry declared a 15-day environmental state of alert, leading to water supply cuts in several districts, including Balti, and prompting the military to distribute drinking water.
  • Authorities are working to clean up the pollution, with assistance from Romania, and recent samples show an improvement in water indicators, though the exact source of the pollutant is still unclear.
  • Moldova's General Prosecutor’s Office will open a criminal investigation, and the foreign ministry summoned Russia’s ambassador, who denied Russia's complicity.

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