Overview

• Two oil tankers sank on December 15 in the Kerch Strait between the Black and Azov Seas, releasing large quantities of oil into the water.
• At least 11 dead dolphins have been found on beaches in Russia's Krasnodar region, with more marine life expected to be affected.
• Oil from the wrecks continues to leak, contaminating dozens of kilometers of coastline, including areas of Crimea annexed by Russia in 2014.
• Cleanup efforts involve 8,000 volunteers, who have so far removed 17 tons of polluted sand in Krasnodar and 60 tons across eight beaches in Crimea.
• Authorities report rescuing 700 oil-covered birds but have not disclosed the total number of animal deaths caused by the spill.