BelSU Volunteers Assist in Clean-up of Fuel Oil Spill in the Black Sea

The volunteers are actively engaged in removing the fuel oil that has washed ashore from the damaged tankers in the Kerch Strait. Among those participating in the clean-up efforts are Yulia Turner, a teaching assistant in the Department of Foreign Languages and Professional Communication; Anna Chernaya, a student from the Institute of Pharmacy, Chemistry, and Biology; Artem Kiselev, a student from the Institute of Social Sciences and Mass Communications; Anastasia Labodaeva, a first-year master’s student at the Law Institute; and Georgy Topchiev, a fifth-year student at the Pedagogical Institute.

Georgy, a native of Anapa, is currently enrolled in a training program in Belgorod but is studying remotely from his hometown. He joined the volunteer efforts almost immediately after seeing the devastating condition of the beach.

“Since I live in Anapa, it’s easy for me to get ready and head to the beach quickly. This is my hometown—my mother was born here, and I was born here too. I couldn’t just stand by and do nothing. I’m not sure if life will return to normal after this, but we must take action,” he shared.

The tasks for volunteers are straightforward: they either collect fuel oil and remove oil-sogged sand or assist wildlife affected by the spill. The tainted animals are transported to another part of the city, where volunteers clean birds and marine creatures of fuel oil, dry them off, warm them up, and feed them.

‘It’s going to get more difficult in the summer when the fuel oil warms up and melts. Right now, it looks like pieces or crumbs rather than puddles. I hope that by working together, we can remove most of the fuel oil before the heat sets in,’ Georgy concluded.

Anastasia Labodaeva, who lives in Krasnodar – about two hours away – also dedicates her days off to helping with the clean-up. She collaborates with activists from the Krasnodar Youth House to tackle the oil spill.

‘I was looking for an opportunity to help since I can go back home in one day. The Youth House has established contact with the Ministry of Emergency Situations, which organized a headquarters where volunteers receive personal protective equipment (suits and respirators) and meals,’ she explained.

Anastasia’s group focuses on cleaning the oil-contaminated sand from the coast, collecting it in bags that are then transported away by tractors. She also supports a local shelter in Anapa that cares for dogs affected by fuel oil, donating medicines, diapers, bandages, and skin antiseptics.

BelSU Rector Evgeniya Karlovskaya expressed her gratitude to the volunteers for their hard work and coordinated efforts.