Photo: Greenpeace.
15 December 2024
The Kerch Strait, a strategic waterway between the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov, has become the epicentre of an environmental disaster. Two Russian tankers transporting fuel for the Russian Navy were caught in a storm and crashed, spilling about 4,300 tonnes of fuel oil and other oil products into the water. This occurred when the vessel location system had been disabled for twelve days, making it difficult to monitor the incident. According to information provided by Time Ukraine Israel, citing Greenpeace, initial reports indicate that the tankers were heading from Volgograd to the Kerch Strait, where the accident occurred.
Potential environmental impacts
This is not the first case of serious pollution of the Black and Azov Seas by Russian tankers. According to Greenpeace experts, even a small spill of oil or oil products in this region could have catastrophic consequences. The prevailing winds and currents directed to the north-east can quickly spread the pollution, making it difficult to localise. According to Dr Paul Johnston, head of Greenpeace’s research laboratories at the University of Exeter, if the coastline is contaminated, the consequences could be irreparable, as it would be extremely difficult to clean up.
Heavy oil products, such as fuel oil, are particularly dangerous, as they not only damage aquatic ecosystems but also have a negative impact on marine life. Heavy oil is less susceptible to natural degradation, which means that its presence in water can last for years, increasing the risk of death for numerous marine species.
History of environmental disasters in the region
The Kerch Strait, which has repeatedly been the scene of environmental disasters, is once again under threat. In 2007, following a leak of 1,200 tonnes of fuel oil from a Russian tanker near the Tuzla Peninsula, local ecosystems suffered serious damage that lasted for a year. However, despite the negative experience, effective measures to prevent such incidents are still being questioned.
Now that a new oil spill is taking place, it is important to understand that environmental safety is not a priority for local authorities, including Russian officials. Given that all attempts to contain the pollution may not have the desired result, the scale of the disaster may far exceed expectations. Without appropriate international efforts, the situation could spiral out of control.
International context and the need for action
The international community must recognise that this disaster is not only a local problem, but also part of a larger environmental threat posed by the militarisation of sea lanes by the Russian Federation. The lack of proper environmental regulations and control over the maritime transport of oil products only exacerbates the situation. It is imperative that international organisations and states seeking to preserve environmental balance actively intervene in the process of resolving such disasters.
Given the high risks to the ecosystem of the Black and Azov Seas, it is important that environmental organisations continue to monitor the situation and demand that Russia take immediate action to contain the pollution. While the Russian authorities are likely to continue to ignore the environmental consequences of their actions, only the international community can help reduce the damage caused by such disasters.
Prospects and challenges
The consequences of this accident for the ecosystem of the Black and Azov Seas could be devastating, and the restoration of the contaminated waters will take many years, if not decades. In addition to the environmental risks, such incidents also threaten the security of local communities that depend on these waters for fishing and other activities. Therefore, it is important that the international community makes efforts to prevent such disasters in the future and ensure responsible standards for the maritime transport of oil products.
Despite the Russian authorities’ attempts to ignore the consequences of their actions, global efforts and support for environmental initiatives can help prevent similar disasters in the future.
