In a significant environmental concern, Russia-appointed officials in Moscow-occupied Crimea announced a regional emergency on Saturday due to an oil spill affecting the shores of Sevastopol, the peninsula's largest city. The spill originated from two storm-stricken tankers nearly three weeks ago in the Kerch Strait, approximately 250 kilometers (155 miles) from Sevastopol, which is located on Crimea's southwestern coast. Regional Governor Mikhail Razvozhaev confirmed the situation via Telegram, stating, “Today a regional emergency regime has been declared in Sevastopol” (SCMP).

As authorities assessed the situation, oil was detected on four local beaches. In response, cleaning operations commenced promptly, with local authorities collaborating with volunteers. “Let me emphasise: there is no mass pollution of the coastline in Sevastopol,” Razvozhaev reassured through his communication (AP News).

The emergency declaration in Sevastopol followed a similar announcement from officials in the Krasnodar region last week, where more than 5,000 workers continue to tackle the cleanup efforts. Governor Veniamin Kondratyev reported that over 86,000 tons of contaminated sand and soil have already been removed, with estimates suggesting that the total contamination may reach up to 200,000 tons of mazut, a low-quality oil product, adding to the urgency of the situation.

Russian President Vladimir Putin termed the incident an “ecological disaster,” highlighting the stakes involved. Notably, the Kerch Strait serves as a crucial global shipping lane, connecting the inland Sea of Azov to the Black Sea. This region has been contentious since Russia's annexation of Crimea in 2014, leading to ongoing tensions with Ukraine. Mykhailo Podolyak, an advisor to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, criticized the situation, labeling it a “large-scale environmental disaster” and advocated for stricter sanctions on Russian tankers.

This incident further underscores the fragile ecological state of the region, where past conflicts have only compounded environmental challenges.