“The director of Greenpeace Ukraine noted that the elimination of the consequences of such pollution requires the efforts of not one institution, but international cooperation”, — write: www.radiosvoboda.org
She recalled that a similar incident occurred in 2007, when the Volgoneft tanker crashed in the Kerch Strait, as a result of which about 1,500 tons of oil spilled into the sea. According to Gozak, even a year later, the concentration of petroleum products in the water was ten times higher than the permitted standards.
“As a result, tens of kilometers of polluted coast for both sides of the strait. Most of these products sank to the bottom and, as a result, the food base for marine biota was affected. On the coast, large spots of fuel oil formed, which required liquidation. They affect all marine life,” she emphasized.
Gozak considers Russia’s military actions against Ukraine to be one of the causes of the disaster. “Obviously, this is fuel for warships,” she said.
The director of Greenpeace Ukraine also added that eliminating the consequences of such pollution requires the efforts of not one institution, but international cooperation.
“But I am sure that Russia will not give access, the information will be as limited as possible. And I very much doubt that the Russian Federation will take any measures to eliminate the consequences. Most likely, it will remain as it is,” Gozak summarized.
On December 15, two Russian vessels with oil products – “Volgoneft-212” and “Volgoneft-239” – suffered an accident in stormy conditions in the Kerch Strait.
The Ministry of Emergency Situations of Russia reported the death of one sailor. As a result of the disaster, oil products were spilled. The scale is still unknown. According to Russian mass media, Volgoneft-212 was transporting 4,300 tons of fuel oil. Shot and Baza publications claim that approximately the same amount of petroleum products was on board “Volgonefta-239”.
The President of Russia, Vladimir Putin, gave an order regarding the organization of rescue operations and liquidation of the consequences of the fuel spill in the Kerch Strait. Russian security forces have opened two criminal cases on the fact of the disaster.