Fuel oil in the Black Sea: the kremlin is looking for scapegoats in the regions
In russia’s krasnodar territory, a criminal case has been opened over the improper response to the consequences of a fuel oil spill following a tanker accident in the Kerch Strait. The defendants are officials of the anapa city administration, whose names have not been disclosed.
▫️ The case concerns an accident that occurred in December 2024. As a result of the collapse of two russian tankers, thousands of tons of fuel oil spilled into the Black Sea, contaminating large sections of the krasnodar territory coastline and even occupied Crimea. Despite the scale of the disaster, russian authorities demonstrated striking irresponsibility from the very beginning: even now, the tanker wreckage has not been raised from the seabed.
▫️ Instead of implementing systemic solutions, the authorities merely simulated activity. The criminal case against regional officials continues this pattern. There is no doubt that anapa officials bear responsibility, as their negligence is obvious, but in this case they are being turned into convenient scapegoats, blamed for the ruined tourist season, polluted beaches, and public outrage.
The decision to transport oil products using dilapidated “shadow fleet” tankers was made in moscow. Therefore, the real responsibility lies with the kremlin authorities, for whom profit outweighs everything else.
