Putin: Caspian Sea shoreline receded 20,000 sq km in 20 years, level falls 9 cm annually

Russian President Putin stated the Caspian Sea's shoreline has receded by 20,000 sq km over two decades, with water levels dropping 9 cm per year, threatening the ecosystem. The claim, made in an official statement, highlights accelerating environmental degradation in the region, though independent verification of the figures is pending. This matters as it signals a major ecological shift with potential economic and geopolitical implications for littoral states.