Russian Authorities Declare Emergency in Crimea After Major Fuel Spill in Kerch Strait
Following the sinking of two Volgoneft tankers in the Kerch Strait on December 15, Russian authorities have declared a federal emergency in occupied Crimea and Krasnodar Krai.
The incident resulted in over 4,000 tons of fuel oil spilling into the sea, which initially was expected to remain on the seabed. However, rising temperatures have caused the oil to wash ashore, affecting beaches and local ecosystems.
Alexander Kurenkov has been appointed to lead efforts in managing the disaster’s aftermath, with over 4,300 people—many of them volunteers—working at the site. The spill has raised concerns about the impact on tourism in towns like Feodosiya, which lacks the necessary resources to address the spill and provide care for oil-affected wildlife. The Kremlin has announced plans for a federal-level state of emergency in Crimea, with local officials warning of ongoing challenges in cleaning up the spill.
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