The quality of sand on Anapa's beaches has disappointed Telegram users.

The Ministry of Economic Development has called for expedited beach fill work in Anapa to increase the number of tourists this season compared to last year. Telegram users noted that the quality of the sand on the beaches raises doubts about Anapa's popularity as a vacation destination.

As reported by "Caucasian Knot," the test section in Anapa, which was the first to be filled with imported sand, has received the necessary permits. The beaches of the Vita children's resort, the Pearl of Russia children's health complex, and the Miracleon hotel in the village of Vityazevo will be able to operate during the holiday season. Previously, Krasnodar Krai authorities reported the start of filling the first three and a half kilometer stretch of Anapa beaches with a 50-centimeter layer of sand in preparation for the holiday season. Bloggers are installing shelters and preparing the beach for opening at the Blagoveshchenskaya village beach in Anapa, despite the fact that it hasn't been replenished with new sand.

Krasnodar Krai needs to speed up beach fill work, which will increase the number of tourists during the summer season.

"The region needs to expedite beach fill work as much as possible so that the entire coastline is ready for the high season. Then we expect to reach a 25% growth rate this season compared to last year, and return to our usual high levels in 2027," Kommersant quoted the press service of the Russian Ministry of Economic Development as saying on May 5.

This message was reposted by Anapa bloggers. In particular, it garnered 34 comments on the "Makovozovy" Telegram channel. The blogger added in the comments that he had visited beaches filled with imported sand and "his sneakers were all covered in clay."

"Let's wait until the sea takes this mud. I think the winter storms will take everything, including the clay," commented Iraida.

Sand (the message uses an emoticon depicting shame - note from "Caucasian Knot") "I went to Vityazevo for the magic sand," wrote Olga.

"Terrible. At first, everyone struggled with fuel oil, putting on shoe covers and bags, now the same effect only with clay. At least it can be washed off without any problem. I think the faces of vacationers running barefoot on "The beach, no need to introduce it," wrote a user with a nickname in the form of a Greek letter.

"It feels like you're in some kind of clay quarry (not 100% medicinal)," he added.

"Wow, the sand is so magical. Now I'm definitely going to Crimea," commented Pavel.

Other users, on the contrary, are waiting for the beaches to be filled in so they can come on vacation. For example, user Yulia inquired when new sand would be added to "Aquamarine" beach.

The goal of opening the beaches will be achieved, despite the damage to nature, users believe. Quarry sand will not solve the problem of fuel oil emissions, but will only temporarily conceal the pollution on Anapa's beaches, environmentalists and activists have stated.

Materials on the consequences of fuel oil spills in the Kerch Strait and Tuapse have been collected by the "Caucasian Knot" on the page "Eco-disaster in Kuban". Data on the scale of coastal pollution was collected by the Caucasian Knot in the reference material "Fuel oil spill in the Kerch Strait".