Kerch Strait Oil Spill Heightens Environmental, Geopolitical Tensions

Why in the news?

A Russian oil tanker spill in the Kerch Strait has raised environmental concerns and added to the already high geopolitical tensions between Russia and Ukraine.

Overview of the Kerch Strait Oil Spill:

  • A Russian oil tanker recently split apart during a severe storm in the Kerch Strait, spilling thousands of tonnes of oil into the water.
  • The Kerch Strait connects the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov, making it crucial for global shipping and carrying substantial geopolitical and economic significance.

Kerch Strait Oil Spill Heightens Environmental, Geopolitical Tensions

Geographical and Historical Significance:

  • The Kerch Strait separates the Kerch Peninsula (part of the Russian-occupied Crimean Peninsula) from the Taman Peninsula in Russia.
  • It is 3 km long, 15 km wide, and about 18 meters deep, with its narrowest point near the Chushka Landspit measuring just 3–5 km.
  • Historically, the Romans named it the Strait of Cimmerian Bosphorus, while the Greeks referred to it as the Cimmerian Strait. The city of Kerch, located on the Crimean side, is a key site near the strait.

Strategic Importance and Recent Events:

  • The Kerch Strait is a vital shipping route for vessels moving between the Sea of Azov and the Black Sea. It has become a point of conflict between Russia and Ukraine since Russia’s annexation of Crimea in 2014.
  • The Kerch Strait Bridge, also called the Crimean Bridge, links Russia to Crimea and was completed in 2018. It is the longest bridge in Europe and symbolizes Russia’s control over Crimea.
  • The recent oil spill has raised environmental concerns and increased geopolitical tensions in the region.

What is a  strait ?

  • A strait is a narrow waterway.
  • It lies between two pieces of land.
  • Straits connect two larger bodies of water.
  • Example: Bering Strait, linking the Arctic Ocean and the Bering Sea.
  • It separates Asia and North America at their closest point.
  • Straits are significant for navigation and geopolitical control.

Sources Referred:

PIB, The Hindu, Indian Express, Hindustan Times

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