Russia’s ambassador summoned to Foreign MInistry

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) today handed Ambassador of the Russian Federation to the Republic of Moldova Oleg Ozerov a note of protest regarding the Russian attack on Novodnestrovsk Hydropower Complex in Ukraine on 7 March. The actions led to the pollution of the Dniester River with chemical and oil substances.

Chișinău authorities have strongly condemned the Russian attack and the pollution of the Dniester River, actions that threaten the security of water supply and the health of the citizens of the Republic of Moldova.


“The attack has generated major risks for the environment and the security of the water supply of the Republic of Moldova. The Dniester River provides water for about 80% of the country’s population and for 98% of the municipality of Chișinău. The MFA emphasizes that such actions with a major cross-border impact endanger the environment, the security of water supply and the health of the citizens of the Republic of Moldova and cannot be accepted,” the institution stated.


During the night of 6 to 7 March this year, Novodnestrovsk Hydropower Complex was the target of a missile and drone attack, with the explosions causing a massive discharge of technical oils and other petroleum products into the Dniester River. Four days later, on 10 March, pollutant patches were identified on the territory of the Republic of Moldova, and laboratory tests carried out by the Environment Agency confirmed that maximum admissible concentrations of pollutants had been exceeded.

Following the incident, the supply of drinking water was suspended in the municipality of Bălți and in other localities of the country, and fishing was banned on the section between Naslavcea and Dubăsari reservoir. To manage the situation, the National Army was mobilized and the EU Civil Protection Mechanism was activated. In addition, the Government declared an environmental alert status for the Dniester River basin for 15 days.

Partners from Romania came to the aid of the Republic of Moldova. They provided three technical assistance packages, support considered vital and strategic in the context of the ecological crisis triggered on the Dniester River. Recent laboratory analyses indicate a positive trend, with the volume of petroleum substances present in the water flow decreasing progressively. Nevertheless, the visible presence of oil films on certain sections of the Dniester requires the maintenance of restrictions.