Press Release, 23.12.2024

Photo: A volunteer involved in cleaning up fuel oil on the beach of the Yubileiny children’s camp on the Black Sea shore in Anapa / Photo by Alexei Maishev, RIA Novosti

The corresponding appeal to the President of Russia was sent by Nikolai Rybakov, Chairman of the Yabloko party, referring to the Federal Law No. 68-FZ “On the Protection of the Population and Territories from Emergencies of Natural and Man-Made Nature” dated 21.12.1994.

“According to the law, it must be introduced in situations where there is damage to human health or the environment, significant material losses and disruption of living conditions in a certain territory as a result of a environmetal disaster. Obviously, such damage exists in this situation,” Rybakov emphasised.

The party leader also demanded that federal funds and forces, including military personnel, be involved to quickly eliminate the disaster and ensure the safety of people and nature.

It should be noted that on 15 December, 2024, two Volgoneft tankers carrying more than 9,000 tons of fuel oil sank in the Black Sea. According to environmentalists, at least 3,000 tons of fuel oil ended up in the sea. The beaches of Anapa have been heavily polluted with oil products. Birds and marine mammals have suffered from the largest environmental disaster in many years.

In the absence of serious action from the authorities, there has emerged a large volunteer movement which is cleaning the coast and saving birds that are being washed from the fuel oil. On the night of 22-23 December, a storm washed a new batch of fuel oil onto the already cleaned beaches. Volunteers say that bags of collected fuel oil are being slowly removed from the shore and the surf may carry them back to the sea.

Therefore, Nikolai Rybakov also noted in his appeal that it is critically important to eliminate the damage caused to nature as soon as possible and prevent the expansion of the disaster zone. Local authorities are obviously not coping and cannot cope with such a large-scale tragedy. Professional rescue teams, equipment, and veterinary services are needed.