Ukrainian coastlines face pollution risks: details from the Navy (video)

In December 2024, it was reported that two Russian tankers sank in the Black Sea. This resulted in an ecological disaster, particularly affecting the dolphin wintering grounds. On January 9, during a broadcast telethon, a representative of the Ukrainian Navy, Dmitry Pletenchuk, warned of the pollution threat.

According to him, there is a possibility that the fuel oil released in the waters after the enemy vessels' accident could reach the areas controlled by Ukraine.

"The current is arranged in such a way that, unfortunately, it is most likely that it could reach our Odessa and Mykolaiv coasts. There is such a probability, of course," the military official noted.

Pletenchuk explained that the Armed Forces of Ukraine do not interfere with civilian vessels. The Russian Federation continues to use the Kerch Strait for its own purposes, even though it is officially closed by Ukraine.

"We certainly do not influence civilian shipping in terms of firepower, because Ukraine is a civilized country. Accordingly, yes, they continue to overload; in fact, they have little choice. They understand perfectly that without oil exports and the corresponding revenues, it will be even harder for them to conduct this war," the Navy representative stated.

The military also clarified that 90% of birds affected by the pollution of fuel oil die, even after being cleaned.

It is worth noting that the monitoring group "Crimean Wind" reported that satellite images from January 4 captured fuel oil pollution along the coastline of three cities in Crimea. It was noted that the photos show only surface pollution, and the M100 fuel oil that spilled into the sea solidifies and sinks at winter temperatures.

Ecologist Vladislav Balinsky reported on January 8 that the fuel oil could reach the coastline of Odessa region in the coming days and weeks. According to him, the pollution has already covered more than half the distance to Odessa.