A Russian attack on a Ukrainian hydroelectric station caused an oil spill, cutting water to Moldova’s second city and prompting an environmental alert.

CHISINAU: A Russian strike on a hydroelectric plant in southern Ukraine has caused an oil spill and polluted water systems in neighbouring Moldova. The incident has led to a complete water supply cutoff in the country’s second-largest city, Balti.

Moldovan President Maia Sandu (pic) said she holds Russia fully responsible for the pollution in the Dniestr River. “We declared environmental alert and are acting to protect our people,” Sandu said in a statement, referring to the March 7 attack.

Moldova’s Environment Ministry said the spill prompted the cutoff in Balti, a city of 90,000, and three other towns. The supply interruption is expected to remain in effect for at least a further 12 hours.

Schools in the affected areas were ordered closed, with students told to work online. Moldova declared a 15-day environmental alert on Sunday as the extent of the pollution became apparent.

The country’s foreign ministry summoned Russia’s ambassador over the attack on the Novodnistrovsk station. It strongly condemned the strike for causing a spill “posing major risks to the environment and the security of the Republic of Moldova’s water supply.”

Sandu has repeatedly denounced Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and accused Moscow of trying to unseat her government. The EU has provided considerable financial support for Moldova since her 2020 election.

EU Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos said the bloc was prepared to help tackle the pollution. “This is a reminder that Russia’s war does not stop at Ukraine’s borders,” she wrote on social media.

 The Sun Malaysia