In the city of Tuapse in the Krasnodar Krai of the Russian Federation, a large-scale environmental problem has arisen following attacks by Ukrainian drones on oil infrastructure. As a result of the fire at the oil storage facility, petroleum products have entered not only the sea but also the city beach.
This is reported by Finway
Spread of petroleum products and challenges of cleanup
According to the operational headquarters of Krasnodar Krai, heavy rains have caused the water level in the Tuapse River, where oil had previously entered, to rise. Consequently, petroleum products were able to pass through established barriers and reached the marine area and the shoreline. The city has immediately begun work to clean the beaches and adjacent areas.
State Duma deputy Sergey Altukhov noted that stormy weather and gusty winds create significant challenges in mitigating the consequences. According to him, the maximum amount of equipment has been mobilized to the central beach, and specialized emergency rescue formations and resources from “Rosnefteflot” have been involved to collect petroleum products that have entered the water and onto the shore.
“The maximum amount of equipment has now been mobilized to the central beach in Tuapse for cleaning up the pollution. In the riverbed, downstream, collection of petroleum products that partially entered the marine area and the shoreline has been organized. Forces and resources from ‘Rosnefteflot’ and the professional emergency rescue formation ‘Ecospas’ are involved in the cleanup,” he reported.
Environmental consequences and local authorities’ response
Residents of Tuapse had previously reported a so-called “oil rain,” after which black puddles with a characteristic film remained on the streets, which were difficult to wash away. Ecologists warn of a major environmental disaster, the effects of which may be felt in the Tuapse district and even up to the Main Ridge of the Greater Caucasus for many years to come.
Despite the scale of the disaster, the local prosecutor’s office initiated a tree-planting campaign in the city. Published photos showed smoke from a powerful fire at the oil storage facility. This post was later deleted, but the images had already gained traction on social media.
On April 20, the General Staff of Ukraine, along with other security forces, confirmed a repeated strike by Ukrainian drones on the Tuapse oil refinery. As a result, fuel tanks caught fire. Satellite images showed that smoke from the fire stretched for tens, and possibly hundreds, of kilometers, reaching even Stavropol, which is located about 300 kilometers from Tuapse.