Russian tanker spill sparks 'ecological disaster,' says Putin

An oil spill from two tankers damaged in a storm earlier this month may have polluted up to 200,000 tonnes of soil, Russian Natural Resources Minister Alexander Kozlov said Monday.

The incident occurred on December 15 in the Kerch Strait, separating southern Russia from the annexed Ukrainian peninsula of Crimea. The Volgoneft-212 sank, and the Volgoneft-239 ran aground during the storm. The ships were carrying 9,200 tonnes of fuel oil, with Russian authorities estimating that around 40 percent may have spilled into the sea.

President Vladimir Putin has described the spill as an "ecological disaster."

Fuel oil has polluted dozens of kilometers of beaches, particularly in the resort town of Anapa, and has also reached the shores of Kerch, Crimea. Volunteers in protective clothing have been cleaning the affected areas, though waves continue to deposit more fuel oil overnight, according to regional governor Veniamin Kondratyev.

Oil-slicked birds have been treated by volunteers, while 10 dolphins may have died due to the spill, the Delpha center for Black Sea dolphin protection said Sunday. Further tests are needed to confirm the cause of their deaths.

"This is an extremely alarming situation," the Delpha center said, raising concerns over the long-term environmental impact.