A Russian oil tanker carrying thousands of tonnes of oil products split apart and spilled oil into the Kerch Strait during a severe storm on Sunday, while another tanker sustained damage and was left drifting, Russian officials reported. At least one person was killed in the incident.
State media released footage showing the 136-meter Volgoneft 212 tanker, which had 15 people on board, split in half, with its bow sinking and waves washing over its deck. The vessel, built in 1969, was reported to have run aground after sustaining significant damage.
The Russian water transport agency, Rosmorrechflot, confirmed a petroleum product spill, though no details were provided on the extent of the environmental impact. The Volgoneft 212 was carrying about 4,300 tonnes of fuel oil, according to Russian sources.
A second tanker, the 132-meter Volgoneft 239, also Russian-flagged and built in 1973, was drifting after suffering damage. The vessel had a crew of 14. Both tankers have a loading capacity of approximately 4,200 tonnes of oil products. The official cause of the severe damage to the first tanker remains unclear.
The tankers were located in the Kerch Strait, which lies between mainland Russia and the Crimean Peninsula—annexed by Russia from Ukraine in 2014—when distress signals were issued.
In response to the emergency, Russian authorities deployed over 50 people, along with equipment including Mi-8 helicopters and rescue tugboats. Unverified footage circulating on Telegram showed blackened waters and the half-submerged tanker amid stormy seas.
This incident highlights the dangers of navigating the Kerch Strait during extreme weather conditions and raises concerns about environmental damage due to the oil spill.
