Russian Oil Spill in Kerch Strait Kills 32 Endangered Dolphins

A storm-damaged spill from two Russian tankers has contaminated the Black Sea, threatening marine life and endangering the Azov dolphin subspecies.

The spill occurred on December 15, 2024, when two Russian tankers, Volgoneft-212 and Volgoneft-239, sank in the Kerch Strait during a storm, releasing over 4,000 tons of heavy fuel oil.
Since the incident, 61 dead cetaceans have been recorded, with 32 of these deaths directly linked to the spill, most occurring within the first 10 days.
The Azov dolphin, an endangered subspecies of harbor porpoise, has been significantly impacted, raising concerns about its survival in the region.
Russian authorities have declared a regional emergency, reporting that over 96,000 tons of contaminated sand and soil have been removed, though cleanup efforts face challenges due to the density of the oil product.
Environmentalists warn of long-term ecological damage, with previous oil spills in the region showing impacts on biodiversity lasting for years.