Anapa's beaches reopen after major cleanup from Kerch Strait oil spill

Anapa’s beaches have undergone major restoration after an oil spill in the Kerch Strait. Over 8.4 kilometres of sandy coastline were replenished with fresh sand. Officials now claim the beaches are cleaner than some of Europe’s most famous resorts. The cleanup followed a large-scale oil spill that affected the region’s shoreline. In response, authorities added a thick layer of new sand—at least half a metre deep, as recommended by Rospotrebnadzor. Studies later confirmed the effectiveness of the restoration work.

Vice-Premier Dmitry Chernyshenko compared Anapa’s beaches to those on the French Riviera, insisting they were now cleaner. He also highlighted that sea resorts remain a top holiday choice for Russians.

Meanwhile, the head of Anapa’s resort, Svetlana Maslova, released an updated map on 1 June showing which beaches were open for swimming. Visitors and locals can currently use pebble beaches stretching from Maly Utrish towards the Central Beach. The restoration has made parts of Anapa’s coastline available for summer tourism. Rospotrebnadzor’s tests support the safety of the newly filled beaches. Officials continue to monitor the area as the holiday season begins.