Moscow, October 10 (QNA) - A Russian institute specializing in ocean sciences has issued a stark warning that several coastal cities in Russia may face submersion by the year 2100 as a result of climate change.

Philipp Sapozhnikov, a senior researcher at the Institute of Oceanology of the Russian Academy of Sciences in Moscow, told Russian media that rising ocean levels driven by climate change pose a serious threat to parts of Russia's coastal urban areas.

He noted that sea levels could rise between 0.3 and 0.65 meters by 2100, with worst-case scenarios projecting an increase of up to 1.3 meters.

According to Sapozhnikov's projections, cities such as Azov, the southern part of Rostov-on-Don, coastal areas of Kerch, several villages in the Krasnodar region, and parts of Adler could be at risk. In northwestern Russia, coastal zones in Saint Petersburg, parts of Kronstadt, and most of Sestroretsk may face similar threats.

Looking further ahead, Sapozhnikov warned that by 2300, ocean levels could rise by approximately 5.6 meters, endangering northern cities like Varandey, Naryan-Mar, and Salekhard, as well as the Far Eastern port of Nakhodka.

He emphasized that these estimates are based on computational models reflecting current climate trends, urging that such forecasts be taken seriously within the broader global efforts to combat climate change. (QNA)