Environmental Crisis Unfolding in Crimea and Krasnodar as Tanker Spill Continues

One month after the tragic incident involving two aging coastal tankers near the Kerch Strait, the repercussions of their cargo spill continue to devastate the beaches of Crimea and Krasnodar. Russian authorities have recently escalated their response efforts in light of the ongoing contamination.

Last month, the river-sea tanker Volgoneft 212 sank during a severe storm just outside the Kerch Strait, while the Volgoneft 239 ran aground off Taman shortly after, eventually breaking up and leaking its heavy fuel oil cargo. Despite claims by Russian officials that most of the cargo remained intact, significant amounts of mazut have been washing up along the coast, leading to widespread pollution. The vessels, both over 50 years old, were ill-equipped to handle the harsh winter conditions of the Kerch Strait, according to the head of Russia’s maritime trade union. While the captains of the tankers have been arrested and charged, concerns remain as other aging river-sea tankers continue operations in the area.

Addressing the severity of the situation, Russian President Vladimir Putin labeled the spill as one of the country’s most pressing environmental challenges. The port of Taman, closest to the wreck of the Volgoneft-239, has been heavily impacted, prompting Emergency Situations Minister Alexander Kurenkov to announce plans to pump out the remaining fuel from the damaged tanker’s stern section.

In response to mounting public outcry, a new federal emergency task force has been established to manage the crisis. Despite limited government support, over 10,000 volunteers have joined cleanup efforts on the affected beaches of the Krasnodar region, collecting more than 80,000 tonnes of sand-oil mix. However, challenges persist as re-spillage of unremoved waste hampers cleanup progress in certain areas.

The environmental ramifications of the spill are substantial, prompting considerations of a potential ban on the sale of fish caught in the Black Sea and Sea of Azov, though no such ban has been enforced yet. Wildlife has also been impacted, with reports of oiled seabirds and numerous dolphin fatalities across the region.