Vladimir Putin, Russian President has expressed dissatisfaction with the ongoing cleanup efforts following a devastating oil spill in the Black Sea.
The spill, which occurred on December 15, was caused by two ageing Russian oil tankers that were caught in a storm off the coast of Crimea, resulting in the release of approximately 2,400 tonnes of heavy fuel oil into the waters.
President Vladimir Putin’s criticism comes nearly four weeks after the spill began, with scores of marine mammals already found dead.
In a televised meeting, Vladimir Putin emphasized the need for more effective action, stating that the current efforts are “obviously not enough”.
He called for the creation of a special commission, headed by responsible officials, to oversee the cleanup operation and minimize further damage.
The challenges in cleaning up the spill are compounded by the type of fuel oil involved, which is dense and does not float on the surface.
Despite these difficulties, hundreds of volunteers have been working to scoop up contaminated soil from beaches in Crimea and along Russia’s southern coast.
President Vladimir Putin’s decision to create a new task force to take over the operation underscores the severity of the situation and the need for more effective coordination and action.
The incident has highlighted one of the most serious environmental challenges facing the region, and it remains to be seen how the new task force will address the crisis.
