MOSCOW, December 28. /TASS/. The situation in the Black Sea waters after the tanker emergency is critical, and environmental consequences are inevitable, Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters.

"You know that the situation is critical. Unfortunately, negative consequences in terms of ecology are inevitable, it now requires vigorous efforts from a range of agencies. Volunteers work very hard, and, of course, these efforts are necessary for the region that is now suffering from this disaster," the spokesman said.

He added that yesterday, Emergencies Minister Alexander Kurenkov presented a detailed report to Russian President Vladimir Putin on the actions taken in the disaster zone.

On December 15, the Volgoneft-212 and Volgoneft-239 tankers sank in the Kerch Strait of the Black Sea during a storm. One sailor lost his life, while the others were successfully evacuated. Emergency services confirmed that the tankers were carrying about 9,200 tons of fuel oil, resulting in an oil spill in the Black Sea. Cleanup operations are underway, with a team of over 10,000 personnel mobilized for the emergency response.