An environmental disaster is unfolding in Perm, Russia, following the same pattern as in Tuapse
Following drone attacks on oil refineries and Transneft facilities, Perm may face large-scale environmental consequences similar to those already observed in Tuapse. There, “oil rains” and rising levels of hazardous substances in the air were previously reported.
This is reported in an article by the Agency.
Perm, one of the five largest cities in the Urals with a population of about 1 million, was attacked on April 29 and 30. As a result of the strikes, the Permnefteorgsintez oil refinery—the seventh largest in Russia—caught fire, as did an oil pumping station with a tank farm totaling about 380,000 cubic meters.
As early as Wednesday, residents reported black rain, as well as the smell of burning rubber and chemicals in the air. By Friday, smoke from the fires in Perm had spread approximately 120 km, according to satellite images released by Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty.
“This is the same type of fire that occurred in Tuapse, and the toxic and carcinogenic substances there are likely similar,” notes Volodymyr Slyviak, co-chair of the environmental group “Ecozakhyst!” Among the hazardous compounds are polyaromatic hydrocarbons, including benzene, which is a Class 1 carcinogen.
Another environmentalist, who wished to remain anonymous, believes that the situation in the Perm region may be even more dangerous than in Tuapse: “Oil rains have been falling there and will continue to fall, just as in Tuapse.”
According to experts, about 100,000 tons of petroleum products burned in Tuapse, while at the Transneft station near Perm, the fire engulfed at least six tanks with a capacity of up to 50,000 tons each, which may indicate even more devastating consequences.
As a reminder, in Tuapse, residents were urged to evacuate following a drone attack (video).
Residents of Tuapse, Russia, are increasingly complaining about the unbearable living conditions in this frontline city. Once a popular resort, it has turned into an area of environmental disaster and constant danger due to regular explosions at local industrial facilities.
In Tuapse, Russia, while cleaning up the aftermath of an oil spill, the city beach was covered with a new layer of pebbles. At the same time, local residents and environmentalists claim that traces of fuel oil are still visible near the water and that a full cleanup has not taken place.
