Two Russian Tankers Damaged Near Kerch Strait, One Dead, Oil Spill Reported

Dec 15, 2024, 10:44 AM

Two Russian oil tankers, Volgoneft-212 and Volgoneft-239, were damaged during a severe storm in the Kerch Strait near Crimea on December 15, 2024. Both vessels, each carrying approximately 4,300 tons of fuel oil, suffered structural damage due to high waves, with at least one tanker reportedly breaking in half and running aground. Russian authorities launched rescue operations, evacuating all crew members, though one sailor was reported dead and several were missing. The incident resulted in an oil spill in the Black Sea, raising environmental concerns.