In a dramatic incident reported by Russian authorities, two oil tankers sank in the Black Sea amid turbulent weather conditions, raising environmental concerns due to subsequent oil leaks. Witnesses shared video footage on social media, allegedly depicting one of the tankers breaking apart during the storm, with visible oil streaks in the water. The accident occurred in the Kerch Strait, an area that separates Russia from annexed Crimea.
The Russian federal sea and inland water transport agency, Rosmorrechflot, confirmed the sinking of the vessels named Volgoneft-212 and Volgoneft-239, noting the challenging conditions at sea. Reports indicated that the two ships were carrying crews of 15 and 14, respectively, and both vessels suffered from the spill of oil products as a result of the catastrophe.
In response to the incident, Russian authorities launched an extensive rescue and clean-up effort, deploying two tugboats, two helicopters, and more than 50 personnel to the scene. TASS news agency provided updates on the unfolding situation, emphasizing the urgency of mitigating the environmental impact caused by the dumping of oil into the sea.
