Source: BBC
Two Russian oil tankers have sustained severe damage in the Black Sea, leading to an oil spill, according to Russian authorities.
Footage shared by Russia's Southern Transport Prosecutor's Office revealed one vessel with its bow completely destroyed and traces of oil spreading in the water. Reports indicate both tankers may have drifted before running aground. One crew member has reportedly died as a result of the incident.
The accident occurred in the Kerch Strait, a critical waterway that lies between Russia and Crimea—territory annexed by Russia in 2014.
Emergency teams, including tugboats, helicopters, and over 50 personnel, successfully rescued 13 crew members from one of the vessels. However, operations were halted temporarily due to adverse weather conditions. Crew members aboard the second tanker, numbering 14, were also rescued, according to Russia's Ministry of Emergency Situations.
In response to the incident, Russian President Vladimir Putin has instructed Deputy Prime Minister Vitaly Savelyev to lead a dedicated task force to manage the situation. Authorities have also launched an investigation into possible negligence.
Michelle Bockmann, a shipping industry analyst, noted that the two damaged vessels, reportedly owned by the company Volgatanker, were relatively small. Each was carrying approximately 4,300 tonnes of oil, significantly less than the 120,000-tonne capacity typical of larger tankers used for international crude oil transport. These smaller ships are more commonly used for moving oil along rivers or in coastal areas.
The Kerch Strait serves as a vital trade route for Russian exports, including grain, crude oil, and liquefied natural gas.
This incident recalls a 2007 event in the same strait, when the oil tanker Volgoneft-139 broke apart during a storm, releasing over 1,000 tonnes of oil into the sea.
Following Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022, many Western nations imposed sanctions on Russian oil imports. However, reports have emerged in recent years of Russia using a fleet of poorly maintained "shadow tankers" to bypass sanctions. Bockmann, however, suggested there is no clear indication that the vessels involved in this latest incident were part of such operations.
