The article discusses the environmental disaster caused by a Russian oil tanker crash in the Black Sea, which released Mazut fuel oil into the water. The incident has been described as one of the largest environmental catastrophes in Ukraine since Russia’s full-scale invasion.
According to experts, the cleanup efforts will take years, and the area may not be fully restored for 10-20 years. However, some experts believe that the Black Sea is a dynamic ecosystem with warm waters, which could allow it to clean itself within a year.
The article also highlights the role of Russia’s “shadow fleet” in circumventing EU sanctions on Russian oil exports. This has made it difficult to coordinate cleanup efforts and has raised concerns about the potential for similar disasters in the future.
Ukraine is particularly affected by the disaster, with environmental damage reported in occupied Crimea, Zaporizhzhia, and Donetsk regions. The article suggests that stopping Russia’s “shadow fleet” could help prevent such catastrophes and also cut funding for Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
Overall, the article emphasizes the need for urgent action to prevent similar disasters and mitigate the environmental impact of the oil spill.