Russia adds funding for Kerch Strait oil spill response

The Russian government has allocated approximately RUB104.8 million (US$1.17 million) from its reserve funds to the salvage and pollution control effort following the December 15, 2024 incidents wherein the tankers Volgoneft-212 and Volgoneft-239 suffered damage in bad weather in the Kerch Strait between mainland Russia and Crimea.

The funds will be used by the Federal Agency for Maritime and River Transportation (Rosmorrechflot) for the purchase of additional spill containment booms with a total length of 12 kilometres and 30 tonnes of biosorbent.

The federal government had earlier allocated RUB1.5 billion (US$17 million) for the removal of contaminated sand and the restoration of affected coastal areas.

Ongoing work as part of the response effort includes the cutting the hull of Volgoneft-239 to facilitate its immediate disposal, the recovery of spilled oil from the seabed, and the cleanup of nearby beaches.

The oil spill resulting from the twin incidents is reportedly one of the worst environmental disasters to occur in the region in years.