Russia, Ukraine: Response efforts underway to contain oil spill, rescue crews near Kerch strait after two tankers damaged, Dec. 15

Emergency crews are responding to an oil spill in the Kerch Strait, which runs between the Sea of Azov and the Black Sea, after two oil tankers were damaged in a storm on Dec. 15. The Volgoneft 212 made a distress call after its bow was damaged in the strait. It is unclear how any crew members have been rescued, but at least one has been reported dead. The ship was carrying 13 crew members. The tanker was carrying approximately 4,300 tons of oil. The Volgoneft 239 separately made distress calls after encountering difficult conditions in the Kerch Strait and ultimately ran aground near the port of Taman. All 14 crew members are accounted for. Search and rescue efforts are underway. Authorities also dispatched two tugboats to salvage the tankers.

Strong winds and rough seas will likely hamper efforts to gauge and contain the oil spill's scale. Such an oil spill could threaten shipping lanes in the area and may reach the shore of Russia's Krasnodar Krai and the Russian-annexed Crimean Peninsula, disrupting supply chains and maritime transportation and posing a potential health hazard. Clean-up efforts may also disrupt road transport, hotels, and businesses in the vicinity of affected shorelines.