Russia is facing growing environmental concerns after reports of fires, toxic smoke and “black rain” at a major oil refinery in the Black Sea city of Tuapse following Ukrainian drone strikes.<\/p>\n
According to Al Jazeera, the refinery was one of Russia’s largest, and had been attacked three times in recent weeks with the aim of damaging the country’s oil industry.<\/p>\n
Cleanup volunteer Sergei Solovyov, speaking to Al Jazeera, described the aftermath in Tuapse: “I saw train carriages covered in black rain and animal remains. It’s all very toxic. And the smell was oily.”<\/p>\n
The first strike on April 16 ignited a fire that burned for two days. <\/p>\n
Another attack on 20 April resulted in a massive fire that lasted for five days, spreading thick smoke across the area. Later air quality tests found levels of benzene, xylene and soot three times the safe limit.<\/p>\n
Residents were advised to stay indoors and wear masks outside as oily black rain reportedly covered roads, cars and animals.<\/p>\n
Elena Lugovenko, a local volunteer, told Al Jazeera: “The rain covered all the cars and animals. All the animals were covered in oil. Volunteers have set up animal cleanup stations.”<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
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