Specialists have begun cutting the feed section of the sunken tanker "Volgoneft-212" in the Kerch Strait, marking a new stage in the work to eliminate the consequences of the crash. This was reported by the press service of the Russian government following a meeting of the government commission.
Engineering surveys have already been completed in the crash area, and work has begun in a dry dock in Novorossiysk to assemble metal structures for three cofferdams. These protective structures are designed to prevent further oil spills and create safe conditions for lifting or dismantling fragments of sunken vessels.
Diving operations are continuing in the coastal zone of Anapa and Temryuk to search for and lift fuel oil. To date, 917 tons of oil-contaminated soil have been collected. The operation involves 159 people, and divers regularly inspect the sunken tankers "Volgoneft-212" and "Volgoneft-239".
The tankers crashed on December 15, 2024, as a result of a storm, when they were carrying a total of 9.2 thousand tons of fuel oil. A significant part of this cargo spilled into the sea, which became a serious environmental challenge for Russia.
President Vladimir Putin assessed the situation as one of the most serious environmental disasters in recent years. In early January 2025, he noted that measures to eliminate the damage were insufficient and instructed to create a federal operational headquarters to coordinate actions.
Work to eliminate the consequences of the crash is proceeding on schedule, and specialists continue to make efforts to minimize environmental damage and restore safety in the region.
Read more on the topic:
The consequences of the accidents of the Volganeft tankers were eliminated by 4000 people
The owner of "Volgoneft" told about the condition of the remaining ships
