Russian Oil Tankers Spill Thousands of Tonnes of Fuel in Kerch Strait After Storm Damage

A storm in the Black Sea caused two aging Russian tankers to break apart and run aground, resulting in a significant oil spill and one fatality.

Two Russian tankers, Volgoneft-212 and Volgoneft-239, were severely damaged in a storm in the Kerch Strait, with one splitting in half and sinking.
The tankers were carrying a combined load of approximately 9,000 tonnes of heavy fuel oil, with reports estimating over 4,000 tonnes spilled into the Black Sea.
One crew member was killed, while 26 others were rescued, some requiring hospitalization for hypothermia and injuries.
Environmental experts warn of potential long-term ecological damage to the Black Sea, with cleanup efforts complicated by adverse weather conditions.
Russian authorities have launched criminal investigations into possible safety violations, as the vessels were decades old and reportedly unfit for severe weather conditions.