Moldova summons Russian ambassador over river pollution after strike

The Moldovan Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned Oleg Ozerov, Russia’s ambassador to Moldova, on March 17 and handed him a note of protest following a Russian strike that led to a leak of petroleum products into the Dniester river.

According to the ministry, officials also brought a bottle of water from the Dniester river to the meeting with Ozerov, underscoring concerns over the contamination, Caliber.Az reports via foreign media.

In a statement, the ministry said: "The Republic of Moldova strongly condemns this attack, which caused leaks of petroleum products into the Dniester River, creating major risks for the environment and security of the water supply of the Republic of Moldova. The Dniester River supplies water to about 80% of the country's population and 98% of residents of Chişinău."

The ministry stressed that such actions with major cross-border impact threaten the environment, security of water supply and health of citizens of the Republic of Moldova.

On March 15, the Moldovan government introduced a 15-day environmental alert regime along the Dniester river in response to the pollution.

President Maia Sandu said the contamination was caused by a Russian strike on a hydroelectric power plant in the Ukrainian city of Novodnistrovsk on March 7, blaming Moscow for the environmental emergency.

Prime Minister Alexandru Munteanu announced on March 13 that Moldova had requested assistance from the European Union due to the pollution of the Dniester river.

By Sabina Mammadli