Oil spill near Anapa after Kerch Strait stormCEFR B1
27 Jul 2025
Adapted from Daria Dergacheva, Global Voices • CC BY 3.0
Photo by Polina Grishma, Unsplash
On 15 December 2024 a storm in the Kerch Strait damaged two fuel tankers, Volgoneft‑212 and Volgoneft‑239. One vessel broke in half and the other ran aground about 80 kilometres from the port of Taman. Reported spill totals reached about 3,700 tons of oil out of 9,200 tons on board, and the pollution affected the sea near Anapa in Krasnodar Krai.
When a team visited Anapa in mid‑June 2025 the town’s coastline and many public spaces were quiet. Hotel bookings for June–July 2025 fell by 30–70 percent compared with the same period the previous year, and since late June guests have had to sign a waiver that notes a swimming ban. Last year Anapa, which has a population of about 85,000, welcomed roughly 5.5 million tourists; this year many small businesses have cut staff or stayed closed.
Local reactions range from anger to conspiracy theories. Authorities declared 66 km of coastline from Veselovka to the Utrish Nature Reserve a hazard zone and banned beach access. Volunteers and local companies joined cleanup work. The sunken tankers are scheduled to be raised in 2026, but many residents and businesses say they remain in limbo.
Difficult words
- tanker — a large ship that carries liquid cargotankers
- spill — the accidental release of liquid, for example oil
- pollution — harmful substances that damage land, sea or air
- booking — a reservation to use a hotel or servicebookings
- waiver — a written document giving up a legal right
- hazard zone — an area declared dangerous where access is limited
- limbo — a situation of uncertainty with no clear decision
Tip: hover, focus or tap highlighted words in the article to see quick definitions while you read or listen.
Discussion questions
- How might the drop in tourists affect small businesses in Anapa?
- Do you think raising the sunken tankers in 2026 will be enough to restore the coast? Why or why not?
- What steps could local volunteers and companies take to help the cleanup?
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