Two Russian cargo ships carrying oil products faced severe distress in the Kerch Strait, situated between mainland Russia and Crimea, due to harsh weather conditions, according to Russia’s Ministry of Emergency Situations. The incident has triggered large-scale rescue operations and raised environmental concerns regarding a potential oil spill.
One of the affected vessels, the “Volgoneft 212,” ran aground, sustaining significant damage. This prompted the ship’s 13-member crew to issue a distress call. Emergency response teams, including a helicopter rescue unit, were dispatched to the site. All crew members were successfully evacuated, though one casualty was reported.
A second cargo ship, the “Volgoneft 239,” went adrift in the same region after experiencing damage. The vessel had 14 crew members on board. Efforts to stabilize the ship and ensure crew safety are ongoing, with over 50 emergency personnel and 11 units of equipment engaged in the response.
In a statement, the Ministry of Emergency Situations announced, “The operational headquarters is working. More than 50 specialists and 11 units of equipment are already involved in the response. Further information is being clarified.” The ministry also noted that the extent of a potential oil spill is being assessed, sparking environmental concerns in the sensitive maritime area.
Amateur video footage circulating on social media appears to show a large cargo ship split in two, with waves surging over its deck. The ship’s bow, seen in the background, is broken off and visible just above the water’s surface. Crew members in lifejackets can be seen moving around the deck as the camera pans across the scene. While the authenticity of the video has not been independently confirmed, it aligns with descriptions of the ongoing emergency.
The Kerch Strait, a strategic waterway connecting the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov, has been a site of heightened geopolitical tension. Ukraine, which seeks to reclaim Crimea following its 2014 annexation by Russia, has previously targeted Russian infrastructure in the region. However, there is no indication that the current ship incidents are related to the ongoing conflict.
Russian authorities are prioritizing the safety of the crew and the containment of any potential oil spill. The Ministry of Emergency Situations continues to coordinate rescue and containment efforts. The incident underscores the vulnerability of maritime operations in volatile weather conditions, particularly in regions with high geopolitical significance. Further updates are expected as rescue teams work to mitigate the impact and investigate the cause of the distress.
