An oil spill which has been blamed on a Russian attack in Ukraine has polluted a major river in Moldova, prompting authorities to cut water supplies to the northern city of Balti. Ukrainian authorities reported that oil began leaking after a Russian strike on the Dniester hydroelectric plant on March 7, with the first slicks appearing three days later on the Dniester river - a vital source for most of Moldova and the Odesa region in southwestern Ukraine. To manage the crisis, Moldova imposed a 15-day state of alert in the Dniester river basin, while Moldovan Environment Minister Gheorghe Hajder stated that water supplies would only be restored once oil levels reached the recommended limit of 0.1mg per liter. As of Monday night, contamination readings were reported too high for Balti and three other affected towns. The oil pollution has further complicated water supplies in Ukraine, impacting the Chernivtsi, Vinnytsya, and Odesa regions. In a diplomatic move, Russia's ambassador to Moldova was summoned to address the situation, but he declined to comment on the matter. Authorities have since transitioned schools in Balti to online learning, while distributing drinkable water to residents. President Maia Sandu has condemned Russia for the pollution, asserting that it bears full responsibility amid ongoing tensions following the full-scale invasion of Ukraine.