MOSCOW, December 23. /TASS/. More than 4,000 tons of polluted soil have been removed over the day in the Krasnodar Region and Crimea following the tanker accident, the Russian Emergencies Ministry's press service told TASS.

"Since the onset of the work, special services in the Krasnodar Region have collected 21,189 tons of contaminated sand and soil, with 4,164 tons removed in the past day," the message reads.

Russia's Maritime Rescue Service collected 25 tons of oil-water mixture in the Kerch Strait water area, surveying 170 square kilometers of water territory. It also collected more than 14 tons of oil-water mixture in the seaport of Anapa. "The works on further monitoring of the coastline and collection of polluted sand, as well as survey of the Black Sea water area are set to be held. In total, more than 9,000 people and 398 pieces of equipment have been involved in the effort. In the Republic of Crimea, the consequences of the oil spill are being liquidated for the third day. The workers collected 109 tons of contaminated sand and soil, cleaning 24.8 km of coastline," the Emergencies Ministry said.

Today, minor oil stains were identified at six locations, resulting in the collection and removal of 49 tons of polluted sand and soil. Overall, 14.4 kilometers of coastline have been successfully cleaned.