**Major Oil Spill in Black Sea Causes Emergency**
A major oil spill has occurred in the Black Sea after two tankers collided during a storm near occupied Crimea. The incident happened on December 15 in the Kerch Strait, causing one tanker to sink and another to run aground.
**State of Emergency Declared**
Russia has declared a federal state of emergency due to the oil spill. Authorities estimate that the tankers were carrying 9,200 tons of fuel oil, with about 40% potentially leaking into the sea. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov described the crisis as “truly critical”.
**Environmental Damage Unclear**
It is not clear how much environmental damage has been caused by the spill. President Vladimir Putin has called it an “ecological disaster”. Thousands of volunteers have joined the clean-up effort, but some Russian scientists say the response is inadequate.
**Risk of Further Leaks Remains**
Russia’s transport ministry says all affected areas have been cleaned and no further pollution has been detected. However, the Emergency Situations Minister cautions that the risk of additional leaks persists.
**Old Tankers Pose Environmental Risks**
In October, a report warned about the risks posed by Russia’s “shadow fleet” of old and poorly insured tankers. These vessels can increase the danger of oil spills like this one.
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