- An oil spill from two tankers in Russia’s Kerch Strait, first detected a month ago, continues to expand, prompting urgent action by Russian authorities.
- The spill has contaminated significant areas, affecting marine life and ecosystems.
- Ukraine accuses Russia of negligence and calls for increased sanctions.
An ongoing oil spill in the Kerch Strait, originating from two storm-damaged tankers. It become a pressing environmental crisis. Despite efforts to contain the spill, its impacts have spread across southern Russia and neighboring regions, raising concerns over long-term ecological damage and fueling tensions between Russia and Ukraine, reports AP News.
Emergency Response Intensifies
A special task force led by Emergency Situations Minister Alexander Kurenkov has been deployed to the Krasnodar region to mitigate the growing oil spill crisis.
President Vladimir Putin called for enhanced measures, labeling the spill one of the most severe environmental challenges in recent years.
Devastation in the Kerch Strait and Beyond
The tanker is a key source of the leak. It continues to release oil near the port of Taman. Over 155,000 tons of contaminated sand and soil have already been collected.
However, the spill has reached Crimea’s Sevastopol and Berdyansk Spit, contaminating vast stretches of coastline and posing a threat to marine life.
Geopolitical and Environmental Fallout
The spill has exacerbated tensions between Russia and Ukraine, with Ukrainian officials accusing Russia of ignoring the issue until it became impossible to hide.
The Kerch Strait, a critical shipping route and point of conflict, now faces further scrutiny due to its ecological vulnerability.
Call for Accountability and Sanctions
Ukraine has urged the international community to impose stricter sanctions on Russian tankers. They cited the incident as evidence of Moscow’s environmental and geopolitical irresponsibility.
Experts warn that the disaster’s long-term consequences could ripple through the Black Sea region.
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Source: AP News
