State of Emergency Declared in Russia’s Krasnodar Region as Oil Spill Impacts Black Sea Coast

In Russia's Krasnodar region, a state of emergency has been declared following an oil spill caused by the collision of two tankers in the Kerch Strait. This was announced on December 25 by the region's governor, Veniamin Kondratyev.

According to Kondratyev, “the discharge of petroleum products along the coasts of Anapa and the Temryuk district has continued unabated.”

He explained, “Scientists and experts estimated that the majority of the fuel oil would settle on the seabed, allowing for easier collection. However, weather conditions have changed. Rising air temperatures are causing the oil products to surface, and they are now washing ashore onto our beaches.”

The incident dates back to December 15, when two tankers—Volgoneft-212 and Volgoneft-239—began sinking in the Kerch Strait. Both vessels were transporting fuel oil, resulting in a significant oil spill in the sea.

Greenpeace has voiced concern over the environmental risks stemming from the spill in the Kerch Strait, warning it could lead to “one of the largest environmental disasters in the Black Sea region.”

The Russian Dolphin Rescue Center ‘Delpha’ has reported that at least 10 dolphins have died as a result of the spill.

Approximately 30 residents of Anapa have recorded a video appeal addressed to Russian leader Vladimir Putin and Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin, urging the deployment of professional resources to manage the aftermath of the oil spill caused by a tanker collision in the Black Sea.