A 40 km² stain: sunflower oil has fallen into the Black Sea after shelling

This was reported by the Ukrainian Sea Ports Authority.

«As of now, the specialized fleet of the Black Sea branch of the State Enterprise "USPA" (oil skimming vessels), booms, Lamor skimmer for collecting pollutants, as well as specialized vehicles for pumping out pollution are involved in the work on localization and elimination of pollution», — the agency noted.

The USPA clarified that during the drone attack on April 26, 2026, tanks with sunflower oil were damaged, which led to its spillage in the port and in the water area. To prevent further ingress of the substance into the water and municipal system, the storm sewer was blocked and booms were installed. The port operator localized the leakage by creating sand barriers around the stormwater network and in the directions of the pollution spread.

The total area of sea surface pollution is approximately 40 km². This information was provided by the environmental NGO Green Sheet based on satellite images reported by the Green Sheet.

According to biologist Vladislav Balinsky, official services initially recorded a spot directly in the port's water area measuring 400 by 200 meters — at the time of the first inspection, the booms were still holding the spill. However, a squeezing wind on April 26 dispersed the oil into the open sea. Now the wind is driving the slick back to the shore and further to the «Tuzla estuaries».

The expert predicts that in the coming weeks, birds contaminated with oil will appear, most of which will die. After the oil polymerizes and settles to the bottom, it will affect the benthic biocenoses of the Gulf of Odesa. In the fall and winter, storms that stir up the residues on the bottom may become a critical factor for the bottom inhabitants in their winter dormancy. The Tuzly Estuaries Nature Park will also feel the consequences of the spill in a few months, he said.