Putin seeks to remove two wrecked oil tankers from Kerch Strait

Russian President Vladimir Putin has called for two wrecked tankers to be lifted out of the Kerch Strait to prevent an oil spill from spreading further.

At a government meeting on Thursday, Putin said plans to lift the damaged tankers out of the strait should be made immediately and that the financing and training of appropriate specialists must be ensured.

He said the incident posed "one of the biggest environmental challenges" for Russia in recent years.

In mid-December, two Russian oil tankers collided during a heavy storm in the Kerch Strait between the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov.

According to the Russian Transport Ministry 2,400 tons of heavy oil have since leaked into the sea, spreading and washing up on Russia's Black Sea coast and the Crimean peninsula, which has been annexed by Russia.

Thousands of volunteers have been working to clear the beaches and try to save birds that are covered in oil, but many animals have died.

Environmentalists believe that the pollution in the sea could continue for years because the oil is forming clumps and sinking.

Putin has now admitted that there are many technical, financial and ecological problems involved in cleaning up the oil spill.

The Russian president has criticized the work of the authorities, saying they should follow the example of the volunteers who are dedicated to cleaning beaches and rescuing animals.