Oil Spill from Russian Tankers Pollutes Beaches

An oil spill from two Russian tankers, the Volgoneft-212 and Volgoneft-239, which sank and ran aground during a storm in the Kerch Strait on December 15, may have contaminated up to 200,000 tons of soil, according to Russian Natural Resources Minister Alexander Kozlov. The tankers were carrying a total of 9,200 tons of fuel oil, of which approximately 40 percent is believed to have spilled into the sea. President Vladimir Putin has termed the incident an 'ecological disaster', with significant oil deposits found along beaches in the Krasnodar region and the city of Kerch in annexed Crimea. Volunteers are actively involved in cleanup efforts, but ongoing waves are reportedly redepositing oil onto the shores. The spill has also raised concerns for local wildlife, with reports of oil-covered birds being treated and the potential death of ten dolphins. The situation remains urgent as authorities stress the need for swift action to address the source of the pollution in the sea.