Russia's Anapa Residents Call on Putin to Deploy Experts for Black Sea Oil Spill Cleanup

Around 30 residents of Anapa recorded a video appeal to Russian leader Vladimir Putin and Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin, demanding that professional resources be sent to address the aftermath of the oil spill caused by the tanker collision in the Black Sea.

According to the residents, local authorities lack the "professional resources and technical tools" to handle the consequences of such a large-scale disaster and are forced to rely on volunteer efforts with basic equipment, like "volunteers with shovels."

They called for the mobilization of professional rescue teams from across the country, equipped with the necessary machinery.

"Primary cleanup efforts cannot be delayed for months, as the toxic substances are poisoning the environment every second," said one man, who read the appeal. He also urged the involvement of research institutes to neutralize the harmful substances and veterinary services to save the region's wildlife.

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War in Ukraine

Russia Keeps Violating Maritime Law, Leaving a Toxic Oil Spill Trail

Dec 17, 2024 15:01

On December 15, the tankers "Volgoneft-239" and "Volgoneft-212," carrying about nine tons of fuel oil, sank in the Kerch Strait, leading to the spill. One crew member died, and the rest were evacuated.

Greenpeace sounded an alarm about the environmental risks posed by the oil spill in the Kerch Strait, warning of a “potential one of the largest environmental disasters in the Black Sea region.”

The Russian Dolphin Rescue Center "Delpha" reported the death of at least 10 dolphins due to the spill.

A series of ecological catastrophes in the Black Sea, linked to oil spills from Russian tankers, are occurring amid Russia's increased military spending. In 2025, Russia is expected to reach record levels of military spending, reflecting its continued focus on its military actions in Ukraine.