Moldova warns of billions in Nistru River pollution damages following Russian attacks
Moldova’s Environment Minister, Gheorghe Hajder, warns that total damages from the Nistru River pollution could exceed several billion lei, with costs reaching over €100M (approx. 2B MDL). Although the primary leak has been plugged, secondary contamination continues to threaten the ecosystem.
The ecological crisis stems from the March 7 attacks on the Novodnestrovsk Hydroelectric Power Plant in Ukraine. Moldova is now preparing a formal assessment to hold the Russian Federation legally accountable for the resulting environmental devastation and water supply disruptions.
Emergency response at the border**
A fresh wave of oil slicks was detected near the Unguri bridge in the Ocnița district on Friday evening, April 3. Following instructions from the Prime Minister, the National Crisis Management Center (CNMC) has ordered a maximum mobilization for the next 72 hours.
Crews are currently reinforcing 22 specialized protective barriers along the river. These teams are utilizing drones for real-time monitoring and conducting water sampling twice daily to ensure the safety of the national water supply.
Water safety and environmental impact
Laboratory tests conducted in collaboration with Romanian experts confirmed the presence of petroleum derivatives, though no heavy metals have been detected. Minister Hajder reassured the public that tap water remains safe for consumption despite the ongoing filtration challenges.
While the initial 15-day state of environmental alert officially ended on April 1, the recent spikes in pollution have forced authorities to maintain a high-readiness posture. Monitoring will continue bi-weekly until the risk of secondary seepage from the riverbanks is fully mitigated.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
