Oil spill in Russian Federation

On 15 December 2024, two oil tankers sustained damage during a severe storm in the Black Sea, resulting in an oil spill that extended across an area of approximately 400 square kilometres.

The vessels involved, Volgoneft-212 and Volgoneft-239, were navigating waters approximately six kilometres from the Kerch Strait when they encountered the adverse weather conditions. The Volgoneft-212 tragically sank, resulting in the loss of one crew member. The Volgoneft-239 suffered structural damage and subsequently drifted toward the Port of Taman.

Oil leaked into the sea from both vessels. The spill from the Volgoneft-239 stopped by 16 December. Containment operations for the Volgoneft-212 commenced in January; however, it is estimated that approximately 5,000 tonnes of oil had already been released into the sea from both vessels.

Reports at the time indicated that oil reached beaches as far south as Anapa in Russia and as far north as Berdyansk in Ukraine. These developments prompted environmental concerns regarding the potential impact on the coastlines of Bulgaria, Romania, and Türkiye.

The tankers were transporting heavy oil, which solidifies at temperatures around 25°C. As a result, portions of the spilled oil sank to the seabed, raising significant ecological concerns, particularly regarding long-term impacts on marine habitats and biodiversity in the affected region.