Interview with Oleg Mitvol

An oil tanker has split in half spilling up to thirteen hundred tonnes of oil into the Black Sea. Deputy Head of Russia's environmental watchdog Oleg Mitvol commented on what consequences the fuel oil spill can have for the region.

“My forecast is that the coastline of the Kerch Strait and the strait itself will need deep re-cultivation. All possible efforts will need to be made to remove as much of those oil-containing liquids as possible, since the oil that's been spilt could create long-term problems lasting 10 to 15 years. So as soon as the storm is over, we'll get all necessary services, including special laboratories working to draw up a plan of action to minimise the consequences,” he said.