The Nistru River pollution under criminal investigation
The Prosecutor General's Office of the Republic of Moldova has officially launched and registered a criminal case concerning the significant pollution of the Nistru with petroleum products. This pollution was caused by the Russian attack on the Novodnestrovsk hydroelectric power plant in Ukraine.
According to the official press release from the Prosecutor General's Office, the Section for Combating Environmental Crimes launched a criminal investigation on March 16, 2026. This action came immediately after the publication of Government Decision No. 108 on March 15, 2026, which declared a state of environmental alert throughout the Nistru basin for a period of 15 days.
The press release states, "The right to a healthy environment is a principle of constitutional value, enshrined in Article 37 of the Constitution. National legislation strictly prohibits the discharge of petroleum products or other polluting substances into surface waters."
Prosecutors will investigate all aspects of the river pollution, including its causes, the extent of ecological damage, and the potential consequences for public health and the aquatic ecosystem.
The pollution incident began following a drone attack by the Russian Federation on the Ukrainian Novodnestrovsk hydroelectric power plant on March 7, 2026. This attack resulted in a significant volume of transformer oil and other hydrocarbons being discharged into the river. The pollution reached the Republic of Moldova's territory by March 10, particularly affecting the northern districts. In response, the government declared an environmental alert to facilitate rapid and effective interventions, which included limiting water supply from the Nistru in certain areas, banning fishing, and implementing intensive monitoring measures.
Additionally, the Promo-LEX Association filed a separate criminal complaint on March 16, requesting an investigation into the water pollution and the potential crime of ecocide.
The Prosecutor General's Office has pledged to take all necessary legal measures to ensure a complete, objective, and impartial investigation.
Previously, President Maia Sandu stated that "Russia bears full responsibility" for the pollution of the Nistru.
On March 17, the Russian Federation's ambassador-at-large in Chisinau, Oleg Ozerov, was summoned to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, where he received a note of protest regarding the situation.
