Sunflower oil found on Odesa coast after strikes on port

The Odesa coast suffered large-scale pollution due to a sunflower oil spill. After the wind direction changed, the consequences of the attack on the Pivdennyi port reached the Gulf.

This was reported by Vladislav Balinsky, head of the Green Leaf NGO.

"The beaches of Otrada and Lanzheron were the most affected - they are covered with an oily film. There are dozens of dead birds on the shore, mostly Lesser White-fronted Geese.

Pollution of the coast. PHOTO: Balinsky/Facebook

The disaster was caused by missile and drone strikes on the Allseeds terminal. Oil tanks were damaged, and open sources report that thousands of tons of oil were spilled. Balinsky emphasized that attacks on civilian infrastructure, including ports and terminals, systematically create large-scale environmental risks.

The Gulf of Odesa, as a natural "trap" for the surface film, keeps the pollution on the coast, making it difficult to eliminate it. Even with variable winds, the film will remain within the bay, and contaminated areas can expand along the coast. He advised urgently assessing the risks of oil entering the Kuyalnik estuary and, if necessary, shutting off the seawater supply.

Pollution along the coast. PHOTO: Balinsky/Facebook

The ecologist noted that if someone sees a live puffin or other bird contaminated with oil, a number of actions should be taken:

• Live puffins and other birds contaminated with oil should be collected with gloves and placed in a cardboard box with holes in a warm, quiet place.
• Birds can be washed with dishwashing detergent.
• After washing, the birds should not be released - they should be kept for at least two weeks to restore the fat layer of the feather.
• The washed and dry birds can be delivered to the Odesa Zoo, where they are taken care of by the head of the institution, Ihor Bilyakov.

Coastal pollution. PHOTO: Balinsky/Facebook

The ecologist warned that the consequences for the ecosystem, the city, and the economy will be significant and will last for a long time. This is not an accidental incident, but a predictable result of Russian strikes on civilian infrastructure.

A fire broke out in thePivdennyi port in Odesa region on December 22 as a result of a Russian army strike on the region, setting about 30 containers of flour and vegetable oil on fire.

Анна Бальчінос