“Russian Tanker Wrecks in Black Sea

Two Russian oil tankers, Volgoneft-212 and Volgoneft-239, have been heavily damaged during a severe storm in the Black Sea, resulting in a significant oil spill and the loss of at least one crew member, according to Russian authorities. The vessels were carrying 27 crew members combined when the accidents occurred near the Kerch Strait, a strategic waterway separating Russia and Crimea.
Footage released by the Southern Transport Prosecutor’s Office depicted one tanker splitting in two and sinking, with oil streaks visible on the water’s surface. The second tanker, severely damaged, reportedly drifted before conflicting reports suggested it may have run aground. Both incidents underline the environmental and maritime challenges posed by the stormy conditions in the region.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has directed Deputy Prime Minister Vitaly Savelyev to lead a working group tasked with managing the aftermath of the disaster. Authorities are also investigating the incident for potential criminal negligence, aiming to determine if human error or regulatory breaches contributed to the tankers’ fates.
A large-scale rescue and cleanup operation is currently in progress, involving tugboats, helicopters, and over 50 personnel. Efforts are focused on rescuing the crews and containing the environmental damage caused by the oil spill.
Both tankers were owned by the company Volgatanker, with each vessel capable of carrying approximately 3,500 deadweight tonnes of oil. The accident marks a serious setback for maritime operations in the Black Sea, particularly in the volatile Kerch Strait region, which has been a point of contention since Crimea’s annexation by Russia in 2014.

The incident serves as a stark reminder of the environmental and human risks associated with maritime transport in challenging weather conditions.