Russia forms an emergency task force as Kerch Strait oil spill continues to spread
Associated PressJan 15
Report: Russia's Kerch Strait Oil Spill Spreads
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Above: Volunteers clean up a bird from oil following a mid-December incident in which two tankers were damaged in a storm in the Kerch Strait, in the southern Russian Krasnodar region, on Jan. 12, 2025. Image copyright: Stringer/Contributor/AFP via Getty Images
The Facts
According to satellite images obtained by BBC Verify, an oil spill in the Kerch Strait is nearing the Danube Biosphere Reserve and the Tuzly Lagoons National Nature Park in Odesa, Ukraine.
The spill was caused by a storm in mid-December that damaged two Russian ships, Volgoneft-239 and Volgoneft-212, which were carrying up to 8.3K tons of mazut — an oil product used in power plants.
Some 5K tons of oil has been leaked, spreading across the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov. In 2007, a Russian tanker spilled 1.2K tons of oil in the region.
The Spin
Anti-Russia narrative
Russia's gross negligence in managing the Black Sea oil spill and its weak cleanup response is a glaring environmental disgrace. Outdated tankers, reckless navigation, and insufficient safety measures caused the spill, devastating ecosystems and killing marine life. The cleanup, hampered by a lack of heavy machinery, relies on ill-equipped volunteers, leaving contaminated sand and oil to return to the sea. This failure exposes Russia's shocking disregard for environmental stewardship and global accountability.
Pro-Russia narrative
Russia has taken significant steps to address the oil spill in the Kerch Strait, with updated assessments revealing a smaller volume of oil leakage than initially feared. Emergency task forces have been mobilized, and extensive cleanup efforts have removed over 155K tons of contaminated soil. Pres. Vladimir Putin's prioritization of the response reflects Russia's commitment to minimizing ecological harm and safeguarding the Black Sea region from further environmental damage despite the challenges posed by the incident.
