Moldovan authorities have formally requested assistance from the European Union to address an oil spill in the Dniester River. The spill has prompted the mobilization of expert teams and equipment from multiple countries to mitigate the environmental impact.
On March 13, Prime Minister Alexandru Munteanu announced the government’s appeal to European partners for help in managing the consequences of the pollution. This includes the deployment of specialists and necessary equipment to extract oil from the water, as well as mobile stations for water quality testing.
The Prime Minister emphasized the need for EU support to enhance the capabilities of governmental agencies responsible for monitoring the situation and addressing the environmental threat.
Experts from Moldova, Romania, and Ukraine are already engaged in the cleanup efforts. Additionally, the Moldovan government has sought assistance from the Ministry of Defense, which has dispatched military personnel, equipment, and vehicles to support both central and local authorities in the northern regions of the country, particularly in areas relying on the Dniester for water supply. A crisis management camp has been established in the village of Cureșnița in the Soroca district.
Prime Minister Munteanu visited the city of Soroca to oversee the cleanup operations alongside Environment Minister George Hadjere. He reported that personnel from the General Inspectorate for Emergency Situations, the Apele Moldovei enterprise, the Environmental Agency, and military units continue to work on-site.
Protective barriers have been erected in the Dniester to collect oil products, and additional filters have been installed. Straw bales are being used to contain the oil slicks in the water. A mobile laboratory is taking water samples every six hours to monitor quality.
Local authorities will be regularly updated on the results of the water analyses. Should the need arise, the government is prepared to provide drinking and household water from alternative sources. Citizens have been advised against using water from the Dniester until safety levels are restored.
Furthermore, fishing has been temporarily banned in the section of the river between the settlements of Naslavcea and Dubăsari, with restrictions in place until April 1.
The contamination of the Dniester was first reported on March 10, following the circulation of a video on social media showing oily patches on the river’s surface near Naslavcea. Preliminary investigations suggest the pollution is linked to a leak of rocket fuel from the Dniester Hydroelectric Power Station in Ukraine, which occurred after a Russian attack on March 7.
Moldova has requested EU assistance to manage an oil spill in the Dniester River, mobilizing international expertise and resources. The spill, linked to a recent incident at a Ukrainian hydroelectric station, has raised significant environmental concerns.