The Russian Ministry of Emergency Situations on Sunday disclosed that two Russian cargo ships carrying oil products are in distress in the Kerch Strait, a waterway between mainland Russia and annexed Crimea, following severe weather.
One of the vessels, Volgoneft 212, ran aground, sustaining damage that led its crew to call for assistance.
A helicopter rescue team was dispatched to the site, evacuating all 13 crew members on board. The ministry confirmed one fatality from the incident.
In the same region, a second vessel, Volgoneft 239, went adrift after suffering damage. The ship has 14 crew members on board, and rescue operations are ongoing.
”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 said in a statement.
Authorities are assessing the extent of any potential oil spill caused by the incidents.
According to CNN, unverified videos shared on Russian and Ukrainian Telegram channels purportedly show a large cargo ship split in two, with turbulent waves lashing against it.
The footage depicts the bow of a vessel partially submerged and detached from the main structure, with crew members seen in lifejackets.
While Ukraine has repeatedly targeted Russian infrastructure near Crimea in its efforts to reclaim the territory annexed by Russia in 2014, there is currently no indication that the incidents are linked to military activity.
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