Kerch Strait, Russia – The Russian Ministry of Emergency Situations (MChS) is working to clean up oil products from the Kerch Strait. The effort follows a significant spill that has impacted the region’s coastline.

Since the operation began, over 418 kilometers of shoreline have been cleaned. Workers have collected more than 153,000 tons of contaminated sand and soil. Of that, over 112,000 tons have been moved to temporary storage sites.

In Anapa and Temryuk District beaches, MChS divers have made 1,811 descents across 19 sites. They surveyed nearly 3,000 square meters of the seabed. Divers gathered over 3,600 bags of oil-contaminated waste.

Unmanned underwater vehicles have also been used. These devices surveyed 6,200 square meters of the seafloor to assist the cleanup.

In Krasnodar Krai, 265 kilometers of shoreline are under inspection. So far, 151,400 tons of polluted sand, soil, and pebbles have been collected.

In Crimea, 525.4 kilometers of coast are being assessed. More than 232 kilometers have been cleaned, with over 796 tons of contaminated sand and soil removed.

In Sevastopol, 165 kilometers of shoreline are being examined. A total of 842.4 tons of polluted sand and soil have been collected and removed.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download