Russian Tankers Spill Oil During Black Sea Storm

Two Russian oil tankers, Volgoneft-212 and Volgoneft-239, were severely damaged during a storm in the Kerch Strait, leading to at least one fatality and a significant oil spill. The Volgoneft-212 split in half, causing oil to spill into the Black Sea, and had 13 crew members evacuated, with one confirmed dead. The Volgoneft-239 was left adrift with 14 crew members on board. Russian authorities have initiated rescue operations involving helicopters and tugboats, and over 50 personnel have been deployed to manage the situation. Investigations into possible safety violations are underway as both ships, built in the late 1960s and early 1970s, were reportedly not well-maintained. The environmental impact of the spill in the strategically important Kerch Strait, linking the Black Sea to the Sea of Azov, is yet to be fully assessed.