On December 15, an environmental disaster occurred in the Kerch Strait due to the collision of two Russian tankers, Volgoneft-212 and Volgoneft-239.

Both vessels suffered accidents that resulted in the spill of approximately 4,000 tons of fuel oil into the waters of the Black Sea, creating a massive oil slick.

Preliminary assessments suggest that the fuel oil spill will have a catastrophic impact on the marine ecosystem of the Black Sea. Toxic petroleum products are expected to cause a mass die-off of plankton, the foundation of food chains, which in turn will lead to the poisoning of fish, marine mammals, birds, and other organisms. Water and sediment contamination will cause long-term changes in the region’s biodiversity, inflicting irreparable damage to habitats of numerous marine flora and fauna species. Coastal ecosystems, including algae, mollusks, and coral formations, will also suffer destruction. Recovery of affected species and ecosystems may take decades.

This incident is yet another confirmation of Russia’s systemic irresponsibility and criminal policies that disregard international environmental safety standards and maritime law. The use of outdated, technically defective river vessels for maritime transport during stormy conditions exemplifies the gross violations of navigation safety regulations typical of the aggressor state. The lack of proper oversight over vessel operations and systematic neglect of international environmental standards have led to repeated man-made disasters with catastrophic environmental consequences.

Ukraine is resolute in its commitment to restoring its territorial integrity and ensuring security across the entire Black Sea region. At the same time, the state will continue to protect its natural heritage and the rights of its citizens affected by the criminal actions of the occupation administration.

We call on the international community to condemn Russia’s irresponsible policies that jeopardize the environmental safety of the Black Sea and surrounding regions. We urge global leaders to demand that Russia address the consequences of the disaster, provide compensation for the damages, and strengthen international oversight of maritime safety standards to prevent similar catastrophes in the future.