Russian tanker wrecks in the Black Sea: fuel oil found on the coast of Odesa region

Fuel oil found on the coast of Odesa region. Archive photo: Ivan Rusev/Facebook

Fuel oil clots have been found on the coast of Odesa region, near the village of Fontanka, which are likely to be the result of a Russian oil tanker accident in the Black Sea.

According to the State Environmental Inspectorate, on 20 March, during a survey of the coast, localised areas of pollution were found over a 30-metre stretch. Experts found fuel oil clots 6-12 cm in size.

At the same time, it is noted that no visual signs of marine pollution have been recorded so far.

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Experts took samples of seawater and substances along with sand for further laboratory analysis at the UkrSCES to determine the level of oil pollution.

Earlier in Odesa, fuel oil was found on the beach «Luzanivka», and the selected fractions of the oil product have already been sent for laboratory testing.

Russian tanker accident

As a reminder, on 15 December 2024, near Cape Panagia in the Kerch Strait , the «Volgoneft» tanker ran aground, and 4 tonnes of fuel oil could have leaked into the sea. Later it became known that another tanker, the «Volgoneft-239», began to sink next. Its hull broke into two parts after being hit by a wave.

The leakage of fuel oil from two Russian tankers in the Black Sea caused a large-scale environmental disaster. The damage caused to the Black Sea ecosystem exceeds $14 billion.

Animal rights activists have recorded 32 deaths of cetaceans, including whales, dolphins and porpoises, following the accident with two Russian oil tankers «Volgoneft-212» and «Volgoneft-239». The deaths of the animals are most likely related to the fuel oil spill, which has already reached Feodosia, Alushta and Sudak.

As of 27 January, employees of the National Nature Park «Tuzly Estuaries» had collected up to four kilograms of fuel oil. At the same time, they started removing fuel oil near the Danube Biosphere Reserve on the coast of Odesa region.

Later, new fuel oil clots were found on the coast of Odesa Oblast, near the village of Lebedivka in Bilhorod-Dnistrovskyi district. These are the consequences of a Russian oil tanker accident in the Black Sea.