Thirty-two dolphins have died following a fuel oil spill from storm-damaged tankers in the Kerch Strait, according to Russia’s Delfa Dolphin Rescue and Research Center. The spill is suspected to be the cause. A total of 61 dead cetaceans have been found, but 29 likely died before the spill. Most of the dead dolphins are from the endangered Azov species. Russia’s Emergencies Ministry has removed over 96,000 tons of contaminated sand and soil. The spill has been declared an “ecological disaster” by President Putin. The Kerch Strait is a crucial shipping route and a point of conflict between Russia and Ukraine.