Russia forms an emergency task force as Kerch Strait oil spill continues to spread
Associated PressJAN 28
Report: Russia's Kerch Strait Oil Spill Spreads
Above: Volunteers clean up a bird from oil following a mid-December incident in which two tankers were damaged in a storm in the Kerch Strait, in the southern Russian Krasnodar region, on Jan. 12, 2025. Image copyright: Stringer/Contributor/AFP via Getty Images
The Spin
Anti-Russia narrative
Russia's gross negligence in managing the Black Sea oil spill and its weak cleanup response is a glaring environmental disgrace. Outdated tankers, reckless navigation, and insufficient safety measures caused the spill, devastating ecosystems and killing marine life. The cleanup, hampered by a lack of heavy machinery, relies on ill-equipped volunteers, leaving contaminated sand and oil to return to the sea. This failure exposes Russia's shocking disregard for environmental stewardship and global accountability.
Pro-Russia narrative
Russia has taken significant steps to address the oil spill in the Kerch Strait, with updated assessments revealing a smaller volume of oil leakage than initially feared. Emergency task forces have been mobilized, and extensive cleanup efforts have removed over 155K tons of contaminated soil. Pres. Vladimir Putin's prioritization of the response reflects Russia's commitment to minimizing ecological harm and safeguarding the Black Sea region from further environmental damage despite the challenges posed by the incident.