For three weeks now, residents in southern Russia have been battling the aftermath of one of the country’s worst environmental disasters in recent years. On December 15, two tankers carrying oil products crashed in the Kerch Strait, which connects the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov.

Volunteers have come to contaminated shores to remove fuel oil and rescue wildlife. The independent Russian media outlet Bereg spoke to several volunteers who all voiced frustration with the government’s inaction.

“When we arrived, there was no one from the Emergency Ministry on the beach,” one volunteer told Bereg. “Later, we saw officials giving interviews in front of working volunteers. It was infuriating — they could’ve at least had the decency to grab a shovel and help us.”

Volunteers believe that disorganization and the government’s reliance on civilian efforts are hindering the cleanup process and causing further damage. For instance, the outlet Kavkazsky Uzel reported that a temporary storage site for oil-filled bags was set up near residential homes in one town. Residents protested by blocking the road to trucks delivering the waste.

“The local news says the oil waste is being stored on paved industrial grounds. In reality, they just dump it on bare soil, and with the first rain, the contaminants could spread to people’s properties,” a resident told Kavkazsky Uzel.

The disaster has had a devastating impact on wildlife, particularly birds. Oil exposure damages birds' internal organs and destroys their protective fat layers, making them vulnerable to cold and water.

“Even if we manage to clean the bird, the poisoning process has already begun, and its internal organs are damaged,” a volunteer coordinator told the Russian outlet Bumaga. “This is when proper veterinary support is essential. The bird’s feathers lose their insulating properties after exposure to oil, so it’s crucial to keep them warm. Without care, they can quickly freeze to death.”

According to the Krasnodar Region’s emergency response center, more than 2,500 birds had been rescued as of January 3. However, the oil has also affected marine life. The scientific and environmental center Delfa reported that 32 dead dolphins have already been found as a result of the spill.

Meanwhile, volunteers are struggling with a severe lack of protective equipment.
“Before calling people to help, make sure they have proper gear. There are no respirators. Why are people working without protective equipment? And if they do have something, it’s often subpar. I worked wearing what they gave me and ended up being sick for a week. I went to the doctor, but they just told me to ‘go away,’” a volunteer told the Russian outlet Kuban Press. “They’re using people like cannon fodder, exploiting their compassion, and making them sign a waiver saying they’re volunteering willingly. What are you doing?”

Working without proper gear is nearly impossible. Volunteers report coughing, dizziness, and headaches within a few hours of working near the contaminated shore, even when wearing protective equipment. As volunteers struggle to clean up the coastline without government support, residents are suffering.

“I wear a respirator with a special filter, but even so, after three hours, I need a break for five or six hours because of the headaches,” a volunteer told Sever.Realii. “I’ve never seen more than 30 people at my site, so I’m skeptical when state TV reports about ‘thousands of rescuers cleaning the shore.’ Everyone I’ve met has been a volunteer. Even the dump trucks working here are privately owned. Shops around Anapa are giving out free respirators and protective gear — they’re just like us. So, we’re saving ourselves, as usual.”

Sever.Realii also spoke to residents along the coast. Many families, especially those with children suffering from asthma, had moved to the area for the fresh air, which is now contaminated.

“There are hundreds of houses along the oil-polluted shore, and hundreds of families live here with children. Why isn’t there an evacuation? They’ve declared a state of emergency! It’s clearly necessary — the children are nauseous, some are struggling to breathe,” an Anapa resident told Sever.Realii. “Why do we have to take care of the children and animals ourselves? It’s only volunteers doing the rescuing.”

Pro-Kremlin media outlet Komsomolskaya Pravda also acknowledged the role of volunteers, reporting that at first, volunteers had to buy their own protective gear, which only became available thanks to public donations, not government help.

“People paid for the delivery of essential equipment, medicine, and other supplies. If anyone asks who’s paying — it’s ordinary people,” Komsomolskaya Pravda wrote.

Despite appeals for state support and funds officially allocated by local authorities, volunteers say nothing has changed.

“Is the government helping at all? So much money was allocated, but people are still buying supplies and doing everything themselves,” Novye Izvestiya quoted a volunteer. “I went to the beach in the first few days, and now, two weeks later, it feels like nothing has changed — people are still doing everything on their own.”