On Wednesday, authorities in Russia's Krasnodar region declared a state of emergency, reporting that oil continued to wash up on the coastline 10 days after two aging tankers encountered difficulties. The oil is from vessels struck by a storm on December 15, one of which split in half, while the other ran aground.

The pollution, which has covered sandy beaches around Anapa, a well-known summer resort, has severely impacted wildlife, including seabirds, dolphins, and porpoises. Over 10,000 people have been involved in cleanup efforts.

Governor Veniamin Kondratiev announced the region-wide emergency, explaining that the oil was still affecting the coastline in the Anapa and Temryuk districts, prompting him to escalate the situation from a previously declared municipal emergency.

In a statement on Telegram, Kondratiev explained that initial forecasts suggested the majority of the fuel oil would remain at the bottom of the Black Sea, allowing for easier collection. However, rising temperatures have caused the oil to surface and wash ashore.

Additionally, the crisis center involved in the cleanup reported that the bow of the Volgoneft-239 tanker had been located underwater, and divers would inspect it for leaks once weather conditions allowed. So far, over 256 square kilometers of coastline have been surveyed, with 25 tons of oil-water sludge collected.