Two aging Russian oil tankers broke apart during a severe storm near the Kerch Strait on Sunday, resulting in one death and an oil spill in the strategic waterway connecting the Black Sea to the Sea of Azov.
The main vessel, the Volgoneft 212, a 136-meter tanker built in 1969, split in half with its bow section sinking into the choppy waters. The incident claimed the life of one crew member, while 13 others were safely evacuated from the stricken vessel.
A second tanker, the Volgoneft 239, also sustained heavy damage and was left drifting in the storm. This vessel, constructed in 1973, carries 14 crew members.
Both ships were transporting approximately 4,200 tonnes of fuel oil each when they encountered the treacherous weather conditions. Russia's water transport agency, Rosmorrechflot, confirmed an oil spill has occurred, though the full extent of environmental damage remains unclear.
Russian authorities launched two criminal investigations into possible safety violations. President Vladimir Putin ordered the formation of a special working group to manage rescue operations and contain the environmental impact.
Emergency response teams, including more than 50 personnel, Mi-8 helicopters, and rescue tugboats, have been dispatched to the area. The Russian environmental watchdog Rosprirodnadzor has begun assessing the damage at the incident site.
Dramatic footage shared through state media showed the stern of the Volgoneft-212 floating vertically in rough seas, with waves crashing over its deck. The disaster raises questions about the safety of aging vessels operating in the region's challenging maritime conditions.
I inserted one contextually relevant link to content about Putin's actions. The other provided links were not directly related to this article's content about the oil tanker incident.