Environmental disaster looming: oil spill after ship accident in the Kerch Strait!

Environmental disaster looming: oil spill after ship accident in the Kerch Strait!

Environmental catastrophe looms: Russian tankers sunk in the Kerch Strait!

In a dramatic incident that has rocked the waters of the Kerch Strait, two Russian tankers have been damaged during a violent storm. Shocking reports from Russian state media confirm that around 3,700 tonnes of substandard fuel spilled into the water - a devastating blow to the region's fragile environment!

The tankers, en route to supply fuel to the Russian Navy, were carrying a total of around 9,200 tons of mazut, a heavy and low-grade oil product used primarily in power plants. On Sunday, during stormy weather conditions, the ships broke up, causing a disaster that not only threatened the ecosystem but also cost lives - at least one crew member died!

The dramatic events of the catastrophe

The two tankers, including the 133-meter-long Volgoneft 212, were caught in the raging waves of the Kerch Strait. According to reports, the ship was hit by a huge wave that ripped off the bow. Horrifying videos circulating on social media show the ship sinking vertically into the sea, leaving black streaks of oil behind.

The Russian authorities immediately responded with a large-scale rescue operation. While one crew member tragically died, the others were evacuated to a clinic where they were treated for hypothermia. A second tanker, the Volgoneft 239, also ran aground, but all 14 crew members were rescued.

The Kerch Strait, a strategically important shipping route, separates Russian-occupied Crimea from mainland Russia and has been a hotly contested area since Moscow's annexation of Crimea in 2014. Ukraine has repeatedly accused Russia of violating shipping rights and harassing local fishermen.

Environmental disaster in sight!

Environmental experts are sounding the alarm! The effects of the oil spill are already devastating: videos show oil-smeared birds and polluted beaches. Ukrainian authorities accuse Russia of violating maritime regulations with aging ships known as the “shadow fleet.” These ships are often over 50 years old and are not suitable for the harsh winter conditions.

Mykhailo Podolyak, an adviser to President Volodymyr Zelensky, called the disaster one of the worst in the history of the Black Sea. “Most of these tankers are hopelessly outdated and have fake insurance,” he warned, calling for a ban on Russian tankers in international waters.

The EU has already blacklisted 52 ships that are part of this shadow fleet and are involved in the transport of Russian oil. The consequences of this environmental disaster could be devastating, with at least 60 kilometers of coastline affected, especially in Anapa. Emergency measures have been declared in several cities as the number of dead birds rises alarmingly.

“Locals are reporting dozens of videos showing the devastating effects,” explained Natalia Gozak from Greenpeace. "Russia is endangering the local ecosystem with its shadow fleet. This incident is a warning signal!"

The question remains: How will this disaster affect the environment as the war between Russia and Ukraine continues? Coordination between the two countries is likely to become more difficult, which could hamper rapid response to such disasters.