Due to the accidents of Russian tankers, the leakage of fuel oil will have catastrophic consequences for the Black Sea marine ecosystem. UNN reports this with reference to the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Natural Resources of Ukraine.
"On December 15, 2024, a significant fuel oil leak occurred near the Kerch Strait as a result of the accident of the Volgoneft-212 and Volgoneft-239 tankers, according to media reports, which poses a threat of a large-scale environmental disaster in the Black Sea," the statement said.
It is noted that preliminary information indicates that the accident was caused by the Russian side's failure to comply with technical requirements for maritime safety, in particular the use of river vessels on the high seas in stormy conditions. This is a consequence of Russia's disregard for international safety standards, which is typical of the aggressor.
"According to the Ukrainian Scientific Center for Marine Ecology, the fuel oil leak will have catastrophic consequences for the marine ecosystem, including the death of plankton, poisoning of fish, seabirds and other living organisms due to the toxic effects of oil products; pollution of bottom sediments and coastal zones, which are the habitat of many species of marine life; disruption of food chains, which will lead to long-term changes in the biodiversity of the region," the Ministry of Environmental Protection informs.
It is reported that some affected species may take decades to recover.
"The fuel oil leak caused by the Russian tanker accident is not an accident, but another confirmation of Russia's irresponsibility towards nature. This is not the first time that the aggressor country has shown complete indifference to everything that is valuable to the free world," the statement said.
In addition, it is reported that Ukraine has already recorded more than 6,800 crimes against the environment by the Russian occupiers and UAH 3.1 trillion in losses from their aggression. The environmental crimes that accompany the Russian aggression in Ukraine reflect a complete disregard for the principles of sustainable development, environmental safety, and international law.
To assess the damage caused to the marine ecosystem as a result of the tanker accident, on behalf of Svitlana Hrynchuk, Minister of Environmental Protection and Natural Resources of Ukraine, experts from the Ministry of Environment, the Ukrainian Scientific Center for Marine Ecology and the SEI are working on modeling the consequences of the emergency and collecting data on the extent of pollution. They are also preparing appeals to the relevant environmental commissions and conventions.
"This incident underscores the need to strengthen international control over compliance with shipping safety standards and pressure on the Russian Federation to prevent future marine pollution. Russia must be forced to compensate for the damage caused," the Ministry emphasizes.
Addendum
UNN reportedthat two Volgoneft tankers had an accident in the Kerch Strait, one of them ran aground.