Thirty-two dolphins have perished following a fuel oil spill from two tankers affected by recent storms in the Kerch Strait, an area that divides the Russia-controlled Crimean Peninsula from Russia’s southern Krasnodar region, according to an animal rescue organization on Sunday.
The Delfa Dolphin Rescue and Research Center in Russia indicated that the fatalities are likely connected to the oil leak. Through a statement shared on the messaging platform Telegram, the organization reported a total of 61 deceased cetaceans—mammals such as whales and dolphins—identified since the incident. However, it was noted that the condition of the remains suggests that 29 of these animals likely died before the spill occurred.
The center further commented, “Based on the state of the remains, it seems that most of these cetaceans perished within the first 10 days following the spill, and the sea continues to wash them ashore.” They highlighted that the majority of the deceased dolphins belong to the endangered Azov species.
Additionally, Russia’s Emergencies Ministry reported that more than 96,000 tons of polluted sand and soil have been removed by both officials and volunteers from the coastlines in the Anapa and Temryuk areas of Krasnodar.
In response to the spill, officials appointed by Russia in the Moscow-occupied Crimea region declared a regional emergency on Saturday after oil was discovered along the coast of Sevastopol, the largest city on the peninsula, located approximately 250 kilometers (155 miles) from the Kerch Strait.
On December 23, the ministry estimated that up to 200,000 tons might be affected by the pollution from mazut, a lower-quality oil substance.
Russian President Vladimir Putin labeled the incident an “ecological disaster.” The Kerch Strait serves as a vital shipping lane, linking the inland Sea of Azov with the Black Sea.
This area has also been a focal point of geopolitical tension between Russia and Ukraine, particularly since Russia’s annexation of Crimea in 2014. In 2016, Ukraine brought the matter to the Permanent Court of Arbitration, accusing Russia of illegal attempts to seize control of the Strait. Moreover, Russia imposed a closure on the strait for several months in 2021.
Mykhailo Podolyak, an adviser to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, referred to the recent oil spill as a “large-scale environmental disaster” and called for further sanctions against Russian tankers.
