Two Russian oil tankers, Volgoneft 212 and Volgoneft 239, sustained damage early Sunday while navigating the stormy waters of the Kerch Strait near Crimea, Russian emergency services reported.
The vessels, believed to be carrying thousands of tons of oil, encountered severe weather conditions in the waterway that separates the Crimean Peninsula from Russia’s Krasnodar Krai region. The Russian Emergencies Ministry confirmed the incidents via Telegram, though the full extent of the damage remains unclear.
State-owned Tass news agency, citing an unnamed ministry source, reported that the bow of Volgoneft 212 was torn off during the storm. The tanker, carrying 4,300 tons of oil, ran aground approximately five miles from the shore, according to the ministry.
Emergency crews, including an Mi-8 helicopter and a rescue boat, were dispatched to assist the ship’s 13-member crew. “The crew requested assistance, and information about a possible oil spill is being clarified,” the ministry stated.
Meanwhile, Volgoneft 239, carrying 14 crew members and also loaded with oil, sustained damage and began drifting in the stormy waters. The ministry has not yet provided additional details on its condition or whether the cargo remains secure.
The incident has raised concerns over potential environmental impacts in the region, though no confirmed reports of oil spills have been issued so far. Authorities are continuing rescue and containment efforts.
This marks another challenge for maritime operations in the strategically sensitive Kerch Strait, an area known for both its geopolitical significance and challenging weather conditions.
