Category: Latest news

Russian Tanker Volgoneft-212 Splits in Two Near Kerch Strait, Video

Dec 15, 2024 12:08 Updated Jun 26, 2025 00:27

1 min read

Authors: Vlad Litnarovych
News Writer

Russian Tanker 'Volgoneft-212' sinks near Kerch Strait, December 15, 2024. (Source: exilenova_plus/Telegram)

A Russian oil tanker, Volgoneft-212, carrying 13 crew members and approximately 4,300 tons of fuel oil, broke apart near the Kerch Strait, Russian media ASTRA reported on December 15, 2024.

In addition, another tanker, Volgoneft-239, is sinking in the same area. The crews of both vessels have been stranded on their decks for approximately 4 hours, awaiting rescue operations.

Authorities reported that the vessel, registered in the port of St. Petersburg, began experiencing distress about 8 kilometers from the Kerch Strait.

⚡ Russian tanker Volgoneft-212 was cut in half seemingly by extreme weather conditions in the Black Sea near the coast of Kerch.

The tanker was reportedly carrying 4.3 thousand tons of fuel oil. 15 crew members are stranded at sea. The vessel is sinking rapidly. pic.twitter.com/dl9s59MFFU
— UNITED24 Media (@United24media) December 15, 2024

Russian emergency services have confirmed the incident, stating, “A distress call was received this morning regarding the Volgoneft-212 tanker in trouble near the Kerch Strait.”

UPD. Russian media reported that Volgoneft-239 sunk near the Volgoneft-212 splitting in two as well.

Earlier, The Main Intelligence Directorate revealed 238 Russian vessels identified as part of a Russian ‘shadow fleet’ of aging oil tankers.