09:59, 11 May 2026

Telegram users were outraged by assurances that the chemical smell on the streets of Anapa was safe.

A girl in a mask. Illustration created by the "Caucasian Knot" using AI in the Copilot program.

The chemical odor on the streets of Anapa is related to construction work near Novorossiysk and poses no threat, the city mayor assured in response to residents' complaints. A strong gas odor and symptoms of poisoning indicate air pollution, Telegram users disagreed.

As reported by "Caucasian Knot," the environmental situation in Anapa worsened after two tankers carrying fuel oil sank in the Kerch Strait on December 15, 2024. Following the fuel oil spill in the Kerch Strait, Rospotrebnadzor (the Federal Service for Surveillance on Consumer Rights Protection and Human Wellbeing) declared 141 beaches in Anapa and nine beaches in the Temryuk District unsuitable for recreation. In 2025, following the fuel oil spill, 60% fewer tourists visited Anapa than in 2024. Due to a record drop in revenue, Anapa's sanatoriums and children's camps are teetering on the brink of closure.

An oil spill has led to catastrophic environmental consequences, according to the "Caucasian Knot" report "Fuel Oil Spill in the Kerch Strait".

On the evening of May 9, Anapa residents began complaining of a gas smell. Many residents reported headaches due to the smell outside, while others said the odor was even present in their apartments, 93.ru reported on May 10.

Similar complaints were also shared by Telegram users in the comments section of Mayor Svetlana Maslova's posts. "Today, May 10, the smell of gas is back. This week, there have been four gas smells. Please comment. Are you planning to do anything about the unbearable gas smell throughout the city?" - wrote Sergey Konkov.

"Yes, it stinks of gas! This is unacceptable in a resort town; people come to breathe the sea air," Irina joined in the complaint.

There was a very strong gas smell coming from the street; we had to close all the windows.

"I can confirm that yesterday there was a very strong gas smell coming from the street; we had to close all the windows. This is the area of Lenin and Evskina Streets... Wartime songs were playing, a field kitchen was set up, and there were a lot of people. We wanted to call the gas service, but after a while the smell went away," wrote Rio-Rita in her comment on May 10th.

On the same day, Svetlana Maslova responded to the complaints. "I see many questions about why there's a periodic gas smell in Anapa. Let me explain. The smell isn't gas. It's emanating from work being carried out at the Yuzhnaya Ozereyevka base, located near Novorossiysk. When there's low atmospheric pressure and a southerly or southeasterly wind, it reaches Anapa and disappears as soon as the wind direction changes," she wrote, without specifying the work in question.

This phenomenon poses no threat, the official assured. "The Federal Service for Surveillance on Consumer Rights Protection and Human Wellbeing (Rospotrebnadzor) is monitoring air quality. If measurements show levels exceeding acceptable limits, the agency will notify local authorities and residents so appropriate safety measures can be taken. If you smell a persistent gas odor indoors, immediately call 112 or 04," the publication states.

The Caspian Pipeline Consortium's marine terminal is located in the village of Yuzhnaya Ozereyevka. At this terminal, oil is loaded onto tankers for shipment to recipients.

As of 9:45 a.m. Moscow time on May 11, 43 comments had been posted under the mayor's announcement. Many of the authors reacted skeptically to the mayor's explanation.

"Svetlana Borisovna, you're trying to convince the city's residents and visitors that this is normal. But! People are telling you that this isn't normal; it's a problem. Acknowledge the problem, don't ignore it. Report it to higher-ups," wrote Sergey Konkov, who had previously asked the mayor to comment on the situation.

"How can there be no health threat if this 'aroma' causes severe headaches, a sore throat, and a cough?! Plus, children are nauseous. There is a problem, and it can't be ignored!" "Anna was indignant.

This stench gives me a headache, a bitter taste, and makes me very nauseous.

"This stench gives me a headache, a bitter taste, and makes me very nauseous. My 5-year-old child vomited today," complained Vladimir. "Yesterday and this morning there was a persistent smell of gas in various areas of Anapa," reported Larisa A on May 10.

"What are they making at this base? What kind of work is being done there, if it doesn't smell like gas? Then what is it?" – Galina asked.

"Don't worry, it's safe when you're far away." Is that how it sounds? Is it generally safe? Or while you're far away? And how do you assess the degree of this safety? The presence of the smell itself means it's in the atmosphere... Overall, [the mayor's] message is about everything and nothing," wrote Yaroslav Malozemov.

If you can't breathe the stench, then it's already a big problem.

"Of course, this isn't normal, we need to solve the problem!" urged Diana. "If it's impossible to breathe in the stench, then it's already a major health problem, even if the smell itself isn't toxic," Angela pointed out.

"It's not normal when there's a gas chamber on the street and in apartments (the smell comes through ventilation pipes when the windows are closed). "Not harmful to health" is a lie; people are experiencing symptoms of poisoning (headache, dizziness, nausea)," wrote Liubov.

"This question shouldn't be addressed to the head of the municipal administration. You need to write to the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment of the Russian Federation and other federal authorities," opined vychaslav.

"People are physically ill from these 'aromas'."

"Well..." "You're lying, Comrade Mayor... People are physically ill from these 'aromas,'" Ekaterina Maslova reproached. "This phenomenon does not pose a threat." Svetlana Borisovna, please explain what substance is in the air during these works that makes it hard to breathe, causes dizziness and nausea? Why do you think it doesn't pose a threat if people are complaining en masse about their health, can't leave their homes, and lead a normal life?" Elena F wrote today.

As a reminder, a fire started on May 1st in Tuapse after a drone attack on the territory of the Tuapse sea terminal. It was extinguished on May 2nd. This fire was the fourth in Tuapse since April 16th. Additionally, on April 24, after booms broke due to rising water levels in the Tuapse River, an oil spill occurred into the Black Sea. A series of attacks on Tuapse's oil infrastructure led to environmental consequences, according to the "Caucasian Knot" report "Fires and 'Oil Rains': Key Information on the Ecological Disaster in Tuapse".

Materials on the consequences of the fuel oil spill in Anapa and Tuapse have been compiled by the "Caucasian Knot" on the page "Ecological Disaster in Kuban".

Translated automatically via Google translate from https://www.kavkaz-uzel.eu/articles/423153