Russian President Vladimir Putin has called for two overturned tankers to be lifted out of the Kerch Strait to prevent the oil spill from spreading further.
At a government meeting on Thursday, Putin said plans to lift the damaged tankers out of the strait should be made immediately and funding and training of relevant experts must be ensured.
He called the event “one of the biggest environmental challenges” for Russia in recent years.
In mid-December, two Russian oil tankers collided in a heavy storm in the Kerch Strait between the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov.
According to the Russian Ministry of Transport, 2,400 tons of heavy oil have since entered the sea, spreading and washing up on the Russian Black Sea coast and the Crimean peninsula, which has been linked to Russia.
Thousands of volunteers have been working to clean up the beaches and try to save birds covered in oil, but many animals have died.
Environmentalists believe that the pollution in the sea could continue for years as the oil forms clumps and sinks.
Putin has now admitted that there are many technical, financial and ecological problems involved in cleaning up the oil.
The president of Russia has criticized the work of the authorities, saying that they should follow the example of volunteers who are dedicated to cleaning beaches and saving animals.
Russian President Vladimir Putin will chair a video conference meeting with members of the Government. -/Kremlin Press Office/dpa
