After the December 2024 tanker crashes in the Kerch Strait, which led to a massive fuel spill, traces of petroleum products continue to be found on the coastlines of Krasnodar Krai. How critical is the current ecological situation?
The operational headquarters confirmed the discovery of fresh fuel oil discharges in the Temryuksky District of Krasnodar Krai. Over 90 specialists and 13 units of special equipment are involved in the cleanup efforts.
Meanwhile, Rosprirodnadzor (Federal Service for Supervision of Natural Resources), according to information from the agency`s official Telegram channel, has not yet detected any new oil leaks from the sunken tanker «Volgoneft-212».
Yuri Lvov, chief editor of the «Anapa.Media» information portal, commented on the situation with fuel oil on the beaches of the Temryuksky District:
Chief Editor of «Anapa.Media» information portal
«According to Yuri Lvov, the detected spills are insignificant. He explained that in the area of the Mozhepsin River estuary, at the end of Pioner Prospekt, where the beach area is located, work to extract fuel oil from the seabed has been ongoing for a long time. Divers use pumps to wash away sand to find and collect all the fuel oil. Small particles sometimes get into the water, and since Anapa experienced some storms for several days, these minor fuel oil particles were washed onto the beach. They were promptly removed. Lvov emphasized that there are no mass or constant fuel oil discharges. Although 100% cleanup cannot be guaranteed, and small fuel oil spots (fractions measuring 2-5 cm, not large chunks or puddles) can occasionally be found, overall, the beaches and the sea remain clean, and people continue to swim and sunbathe. He also noted that the local tourism business, especially in the Pioner Prospekt area and the village of Dzhemete, is struggling due to the low number of visitors, which has led to the closure of many guesthouses, shops, and catering establishments.»
Previously, Rosprirodnadzor had already filed lawsuits totaling approximately 85 billion rubles against the owners of the tankers «Volgoneft-212» and «Volgoneft-239», which sank last winter, as compensation for the environmental damage caused.
Furthermore, it was discovered that the captain of the tanker «Volgoneft-212» was sailing without a valid diploma. This fact was established during court hearings in the Arbitration Court of Krasnodar Krai, which is considering Rosprirodnadzor`s lawsuit.
Rupert Blackwood 
Clement Ashworth