Two Russian oil tankers, Volgoneft-212 and Volgoneft-239, were damaged and are sinking in the Kerch Strait amid stormy weather. The Volgoneft-212 split in half, spilling approximately 4,300 tonnes of fuel oil into the sea, while the Volgoneft-239 sustained damage and is also reported to be sinking. At least one person has died, and rescue operations are underway for the crew members. The incident has led to an oil spill, with environmental concerns rising due to the potential impact on marine life and coastal ecosystems in the region.

Reports indicate that extreme weather conditions caused the vessel to split in half, leading to an oil spill. This tanker Volgoneft 212 recently experienced significant distress near the Kerch Strait. This incident has highlighted issues with maritime safety standards and the environmental risks associated with oil transport. The full extent of the ecological damage is still being assessed, but immediate actions are being taken to contain the spill and rescue the crew members.

Another tanker Volgoneft 239 in the same area encountered similar problems due to bad weather, leading to damage and the vessel drifting. It also had crew members on board who awaited rescue.

Volgoneft tankers are part of a long line of vessels designed under various projects like 550A, 558, and others, which have been in service since the mid-20th century. They are primarily “river-sea” class tankers, modified for both inland and coastal navigation, with some designed for ice navigation.

The incidents involving Volgoneft 212 and 239 pose significant environmental risks due to potential oil spills in the Black Sea and near Crimea, an area sensitive for its marine life and tourism.

Volgoneft tankers have a history of incidents; for instance, Volgoneft-139 was involved in a spill in the Kerch Strait back in November 2007, highlighting ongoing issues with maritime safety and environmental protection in the region. Volgoneft refers to a series of Russian tankers, part of the Volgotanker fleet, which is engaged in transporting oil and oil products along Russia’s inland waterways and coastal seas. 

Information about these events has been reported across various news outlets and on social media platforms, emphasizing the ongoing challenges in maritime safety, especially in harsh weather conditions around strategic waterways like the Kerch Strait.

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