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.
— UNITED24 Media (@United24media) December 15, 2024
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
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.
