Sat Dec 28 17:47:47 UTC 2024: ## Major Oil Spill in Black Sea Declared State of Emergency
**Moscow, December 28, 2024** – Russia declared a state of emergency on Saturday following a major oil spill in the Black Sea near Crimea. The spill, resulting from a collision between two tankers on December 15th in the Kerch Strait, has released an estimated 3,680 tonnes of fuel oil into the sea – approximately 40% of the tankers’ total cargo of 9,200 tonnes.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov described the situation as “truly critical,” while acknowledging the difficulty in immediately assessing the full extent of the environmental damage. Thousands of volunteers are participating in cleanup efforts, although some Russian scientists have criticized their adequacy.
While the Russian Transport Ministry claims all identified polluted areas have been cleaned, Emergency Situations Minister Alexander Kurenkov expressed continued concern, warning of the persistent threat of further leaks from the damaged tankers and ongoing coastal spills. Earlier this month, President Vladimir Putin labeled the incident an “ecological disaster.” The Moscow-installed governor of Crimea, Sergei Aksionov, announced the state of emergency via Telegram. The incident highlights the ongoing environmental risks associated with maritime transport in the region.
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