View source for 2024 Kerch Strait oil spill

{{Short description|Oil spill involving two Russian oil tankers}}
{{Infobox oil spill
|name=2024 Kerch Strait oil spill
|image_caption=
|location=[[Kerch Strait]], [[Black Sea]]
|coordinates={{Coord|45|04|18|N|36|35|53|E|display=inline|type:event}}
|spill_date=15 December 2024
|cause={{bulletedlist|Inclement weather|Potential safety breaches}}
|operator=
|casualties=One crew member killed
|volume=An estimated 3,700 tonnes
|area=
}}

Early in the morning of 15 December 2024, two Russian-flagged {{ill|Volgoneft|ru|Волгонефть}} river-sea class [[oil tanker]]s, ''Volgoneft-212'' and ''Volgoneft-239,'' were caught in a storm just south of the [[Kerch Strait]]. ''Volgoneft-212'', which was reportedly carrying approximately 4,900 tonnes of fuel oil, split in half and sank, resulting in an [[oil spill]] and the death of one crew member. ''Volgoneft-239'' sustained damage, causing the vessel to begin drifting for several hours until it ran aground near the [[Port of Taman]], [[Krasnodar Krai]]. It too began leaking oil.

Both vessels still had some of their cargo intact and the oil leak on ''Volgoneft-239'' was stopped by the next day, with initial estimates stating that approximately 3,700 tonnes of oil was spilled. Reports of puddles of oil making landfall between the [[Crimean Bridge]] and the town of [[Anapa]] began on 17 December, with approximately 37 miles of coastline becoming polluted. As a result, a [[state of emergency]] was declared in the [[Anapsky District|Anapsky]] and [[Temryuksky District|Temryuksky Districts]] that day.

Separate criminal cases were opened by Russia into both vessels for potential maritime safety breaches, though the case for ''Volgoneft-212'' had an additional charge for [[negligent homicide]].

== Background ==
''Volgoneft-212'' was built in 1969, was 136 metres in length and was registered in [[Saint Petersburg]]. It was owned and managed by KamaTransOil and Kama Shipping, both of which are based in [[Perm, Russia|Perm]], Russia. They purchased the vessel in 2014<ref name=":23">{{Cite web |last=Nastevich |first=Sergey Эльза Исламова |last2=Matveyeva |first2=Antonina |last3=Islamova |first3=Elza |date=17 December 2024 |title=Штормовое предубеждение: что могло привести к трагедии в Керченском проливе |trans-title=Stormy prejudice: what could have led to the tragedy in the Kerch Strait |url=https://iz.ru/1808313/sergei-nastevich-antonina-matveeva-elza-islamova/shtormovoe-predubezhdenie-chto-moglo-privesti-k-tragedii-v-kerchenskom-prolive |access-date=23 December 2024 |website=[[Izvestia]] |language=ru}}</ref><ref name=":2" /><ref name=":6" /> and have a licence to transport dangerous cargo by inland waterways and sea indefinitely, which was issued in 2016. Kama Shipping was fined [[Ruble|₽]]400,000 ($6,406) in 2019 for, between 1 May and 23 July that year, transporting dangerous cargo by sea without a special permit.<ref name=":23" /> 

''Volgoneft-239'' was built in 1973, is 132 metres in length and was registered in [[Astrakhan]] and has been owned and operated by Volgotransneft since 2010. Both tankers have a maximum loading capacity of approximately 4,200 tonnes.<ref name=":23" /><ref name=":2">{{Cite news |last=Harding |first=Luke |date=15 December 2024 |title=Two Russian tankers sink in Black Sea spilling 4,300 tonnes of oil |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/dec/15/two-russian-tankers-sink-in-black-sea-spilling-oil |access-date=15 December 2024 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}</ref><ref name=":6">{{Cite web |date=15 December 2024 |title=Two Russian tankers wreck in Kerch Strait storm, killing one sailor and risking 'one of largest environmental disasters' ever in Black Sea |url=https://meduza.io/en/feature/2024/12/15/two-russian-tankers-wreck-in-kerch-strait-storm-killing-one-sailor-and-risking-one-of-largest-environmental-disasters-ever-in-black-sea |access-date=15 December 2024 |website=Meduza |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=15 December 2024 |title=Russian tanker splits in storm, spilling oil into Kerch Strait |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/russian-cargo-ship-carrying-oil-products-distress-kerch-strait-says-emergencies-2024-12-15/ |access-date=15 December 2024 |website=Reuters}}</ref> [[Mash (online newspaper)|Mash]] reported that both vessels were converted some time in the 1990s from regular [[oil tanker]]s into river-sea class vessels.<ref name=":1" /> ''Volgoneft-212'' was refitted in 2024, with ''[[The Guardian]]'' reporting that during this refit "the centre was cut out and the stern and bow were welded together, forming a huge seam in the middle. It is this section that appears to have broken."<ref name=":2" /> 

Both tankers were reportedly owned by [[Volgotanker]], a company based in [[Samara]] which transports oil products in [[Unified Deep Water System of European Russia|Russia's inland waterways]] and along the coast of the [[Black Sea]]. Almost all of their ships were built between 1966 and 1990 with a capacity of between 4,000 and 5,000 [[deadweight tonnage]].<ref name=":4">{{Cite web |last=Papachristou |first=Harry |date=15 December 2024 |title=Russian coastal tanker sinks in Kerch Strait, killing seafarer and causing oil spill |url=https://www.tradewindsnews.com/casualties/russian-coastal-tanker-sinks-in-kerch-strait-killing-seafarer-and-causing-oil-spill/2-1-1753814 |access-date=15 December 2024 |website=TradeWinds |language=en}}</ref>

[[iStories]] reported that, in the months prior to the incident, both vessels had been shuttling between [[Port Kavkaz]] in the Kerch Strait and oil refinery terminals on the [[Volga|Volga River]].<ref name=":6" /> ''[[Izvestia]]'' reported that both tankers should have been decommissioned 10–15 years prior to the incident as they have a service life of between 30–40 years. Both were tested for their suitability for transporting dangerous cargo in July 2024. ''Volgoneft-239'' had had its licence suspended and thus should not have been at sea.<ref name=":23" />

=== Kerch Strait ===
{{Main article|Kerch Strait}}
The Kerch Strait separates the [[Kerch Peninsula]] in [[Crimea]] and the [[Taman Peninsula]] in Russia's [[Krasnodar Krai]], connecting the Black Sea and the [[Sea of Azov]]. Several ships have been either damaged or sunk during storms in or near the Kerch Strait;

[[Kerch Strait#Storm of November 2007|''Volgoneft-139'']] was carrying 4,800 tonnes of fuel oil when it anchored in the Kerch Strait during a storm in November 2007.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |last=Bennett |first=Tom |date=15 December 2024 |title=Two Russian oil tankers wrecked in Black Sea |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c8dq6q0m862o |access-date=15 December 2024 |website=BBC News |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref name=":20">{{Cite web |date=17 December 2024 |title=The oil spill accident in the Black Sea demonstrates what environmental damage old tankers with Russian oil can cause around Europe |url=https://www.greenpeace.org/ukraine/en/news/3165/the-oil-spill-accident-in-the-black-sea-demonstrates-what-environmental-damage-old-tankers-with-russian-oil-can-cause-around-europe/ |access-date=18 December 2024 |website=Greenpeace Ukraine |language=en-US}}</ref> It split in half, spilling between approximately 1,300–1,600 tonnes of oil, resulting in "tens of kilometres" of pollution on both sides of the Kerch Strait.<ref name=":3" /><ref name=":20" /><ref name=":7">{{Cite web |last=Minelle |first=Bethany |date=15 December 2024 |title=Black Sea: At least one person dead after severely damaged Russian tankers cause oil spill |url=https://news.sky.com/story/black-sea-at-least-one-person-dead-after-severely-damaged-russian-tankers-cause-oil-spill-13274065 |access-date=15 December 2024 |website=Sky News |language=en}}</ref> 13 crew members were rescued, with four other ships sinking during the storm.<ref name=":3" /><ref>{{cite news |author=Arkady Irshenko |date=11 November 2007 |title=Russian oil tanker splits in half |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7089317.stm |access-date=23 May 2010 |work=BBC News}}</ref> On 19 April 2017, the Panamanian-registered 3,500 tonne [[bulk carrier]] ''Geroi Arsenala'' split in half and sank approximately 19 [[Nautical mile|nautical miles]] south of the Taman Peninsula between the [[Azov|Port of Azov]] in [[Rostov Oblast]] and [[Turkey]] while carrying grain during a storm. One crew member was rescued, while a further two were later found dead; nine were missing.<ref>{{Cite web |date=20 April 2017 |title=Cargo Ship Geroi Arsenala sank in the Kerch Strait off the Russian Black Sea coast; 9 missing |url=https://www.vesselfinder.com/news/9070-Cargo-Ship-Geroi-Arsenala-sank-in-the-Kerch-Strait-off-the-Russian-Black-Sea-coast-9-missing |access-date=15 December 2024 |website=VesselFinder |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=19 April 2017 |title=Rescue bid in Black Sea as ship splits in two |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-39640504 |access-date=15 December 2024 |work=BBC News |language=en-GB}}</ref> In November 2023, the Strait was closed due to severe stormy weather as a measure to prevent damage to ships. Despite this, during the closure, two vessels, the ''Matros Shevchenko'' and ''Matros Pozynich'', were stopped close to each other in the Strait. They both collided at low speed, drifting into an anchored vessel, the ''Kavkaz-5.''<ref>{{Cite web |date=30 November 2023 |title=Freighters Collide in Kerch Strait |url=https://maritime-executive.com/article/freighters-collide-in-kerch-strait |access-date=15 December 2024 |website=The Maritime Executive |language=en}}</ref>

=== Ecological issues in the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov ===
The Black Sea and the Sea of Azov have faced numerous issues since the 20th century including the polluting effects of the aforementioned incidents and from nearby ports and rivers; the ongoing [[Russo-Ukrainian War]], with ships being sunk, underwater explosions and Russia using protected lands as training grounds or extraction sites for materials; overfishing; [[invasive species]]; and climate change. These issues have caused changes to the local ecosystems and caused some species to disappear.<ref name=":11">{{Cite web |last=Sadogurska |first=Sofia |date=22 August 2023 |title=Impact of Russia's invasion of Ukraine on the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov |url=https://uwecworkgroup.info/impact-of-russias-invasion-of-ukraine-on-the-black-and-azov-seas/ |access-date=16 December 2024 |website=Ukraine War Environmental Consequences Work Group |language=en-US}}</ref>

Since the beginning of the [[Russian invasion of Ukraine]] however, these negative effects were greatly exacerbated. There has been a rapid die-off of [[dolphin]]s, [[porpoise]]s and other [[cetacea]]ns, with cases of live animals washing up on shore also increasing. The highest rate of cases is around Crimea, particularly near to [[Sevastopol]], where several Russian bases reside. In early 2022, Russian warships began blockading Ukrainian ports. The release of [[Ship ballast|ballast water]] by the warships is not monitored, [[Ballast water discharge and the environment|allowing pollutants and invasive species]] from other areas to enter the environment. Sunken warships also caused several oil spills, with the spills extending tens of thousands of square kilometres, including into protected waters, with oil [[polymerization]] in the water causing mass bird deaths.<ref name=":11" />

Fires from military activities have also damaged several national parks. As an example, a total of 131 fires were recorded on the [[Kinburn Peninsula]], a protected area for marine and coastal colonies, in 2022, destroying over 5,000 hectares of the park and the nesting places of approximately 100 bird species.<ref name=":11" />

Following the destruction of the [[Kakhovka Dam]] on 6 June 2023, several protected areas were flooded, with [[Fresh water|freshwater]] polluted by fuels, lubricants, fertilizers and wastewater from settlements and fields entering the Black Sea. In the days that followed, rapid [[desalination]] of sea water from 14 to 4[[Parts per million|ppm]] was discovered in the waters near [[Odesa]], Ukraine. In some coastal areas, researchers noted acute toxicity in the water, with nitrogen concentrations drastically rising, an indicator of direct [[sewage]] pollution. Polluted water was also found in the [[Danube|Danube River]].<ref name=":11" /> Approximately 30,000 animals were killed as a result, with species such as the [[squacco heron]] and the [[little egret]] disappearing.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Lawal |first=Shola |date=19 December 2024 |title=The Russian tanker disaster and an oil leak in Kerch Strait: What it means |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/12/19/the-russian-tanker-disaster-and-an-oil-leak-in-kerch-strait-what-it-means |access-date=19 December 2024 |website=Al Jazeera |language=en}}</ref>

Despite this, in the years preceding 2023, researchers noticed indicators that some ecosystems had begun gradually recovering. Although it is currently impossible to assess the impacts on the Sea of Azov, researchers were able to have limited access to the Black Sea. What they discovered is that, due to tourist travel being banned in the north western Black Sea due to [[Naval mine|mining]] and a lessening in commercial vessels and fishing, there had been a lessening of pressure on ecosystems. Several species considered rare had also become more common with the lack of tourism.<ref name=":11" />

== Incident ==
[[File:Volga. Tanker Volgoneft-212 P5161005 2200.jpg|280 px|right|thumb|''Volgoneft-212'' in 2018]]
Early in the morning of 15 December 2024,<ref>{{Cite web |date=15 December 2024 |title=Storm Causes Catastrophic Damage To Russian Oil Tankers |url=https://evrimagaci.org/tpg/storm-causes-catastrophic-damage-to-russian-oil-tankers-91269 |access-date=15 December 2024 |website=The Pinnacle Gazette |language=en}}</ref> ''Volgoneft-212'' and ''Volgoneft-239'' were heading south out of the Kerch Strait, entering the more open waters of the Black Sea.<ref name=":16" /> ''Volgoneft-212'' had 13 crew on board,<ref name=":2" /><ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Bellamy |first=Daniel |date=15 December 2024 |title=Two Russian oil tankers badly damaged in storm in Kerch strait |url=https://www.euronews.com/my-europe/2024/12/15/two-russian-oil-tankers-badly-damaged-in-storm-in-kerch-strait |access-date=15 December 2024 |website=Euronews}}</ref> while ''Volgoneft-239'' had 14 crew on board;<ref name=":0" /> both vessels were carrying [[mazut]], a low grade [[heavy fuel oil]] used in various applications across the former [[Soviet Union]] and [[Iran]],<ref name=":9">{{Cite web |date=16 December 2024 |title=All 14 crew members of second stricken Russian oil tanker rescued in Kerch Strait |url=https://novayagazeta.eu/articles/2024/12/16/all-14-crew-members-of-second-stricken-russian-oil-tanker-rescued-in-kerch-strait-en-news |access-date=16 December 2024 |website=Novaya Gazeta Europe}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=15 December 2024 |title=2 Russian oil tankers sink in storm, cause spill in Kerch Strait |url=https://meteo24news.gr/english-edition/2-russian-oil-tankers-sink-in-storm-cause-spill-in-kerch-strait/34063/ |access-date=15 December 2024 |website=Meteo24 News |language=el}}</ref> which they were transporting for the [[Russian Navy]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Banerji |first=Nandita |date=16 December 2024 |title=Over 9,000 tonnes of fuel may have spilled into the Black Sea as 2 Russian tankers sink |url=https://www.downtoearth.org.in/environment/over-9000-tonnes-of-fuel-may-have-spilled-into-the-black-sea-as-2-russian-tankers-sink |access-date=16 December 2024 |website=Down To Earth |language=en}}</ref> On 10 November, ''Volgoneft-212'' left the Port of [[Saratov]] and was heading to Port Kavkaz with 4,900 tonnes, while ''Volgoneft-239'' was carrying approximately 4,300 tonnes from the Port of Azov.<ref name=":23" /><ref>{{Cite web |date=16 December 2024 |title=Russian tankers damaged in Kerch Strait were carrying 62,000 barrels of oil products, TASS says |url=https://www.voanews.com/a/russian-tankers-damaged-in-kerch-strait-were-carrying-62-000-barrels-of-oil-products-tass-says/7902605.html |access-date=16 December 2024 |website=Voice of America |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":10">{{Cite web |date=16 December 2024 |title=Preparations underway to address oil spill in Kerch Strait |url=https://tass.com/emergencies/1887755 |access-date=16 December 2024 |website=TASS}}</ref>

According to a man from the Russian Professional Union of Seafarers, Igor Kovalchuk, the maximum wave height for ''Volgoneft-212'' was 2.5 metres. ''Volgoneft-239'' had a maximum of 2 metres.<ref name=":23" /> Both were rated for wind speeds of up to 40 miles per hour.<ref name=":16">{{Cite web |date=17 December 2024 |title=Shipwrecked Russian Tankers Pollute Kerch Strait Wetlands, Birds Covered With Oil |url=https://www.kyivpost.com/post/44044 |access-date=17 December 2024 |website=Kyiv Post |language=en}}</ref> There are differing reports as to the conditions the vessels faced. According to unnamed Russian officials in Crimea on the day of the incident, the storm reached up to a seven on the [[Beaufort scale]], with wind speeds up to 32–38 miles per hour.<ref name=":6" /> According to meteorologists at the [[Hydrometeorological Centre of Russia|Crimean State Hydrometeorological Service]], wind speeds of approximately 60 miles per hour were expected.<ref name=":23" /> Similarly, according to a [[Television News Service]] report on the day of the incident, waves reached a height of 3.5 metres with wind speeds of approximately 53 miles per hour.<ref name=":16" />

One of the crew members of ''Volgoneft-212'', Alexander Marchenko, told ''Izvestia'' that he did not find any issues with the vessel on his morning rounds, but remarked that there had been strong waves. Later that day, an alarm was sounded, with the vessel splitting in half approximately five miles from shore after it was hit by a large wave.<ref name=":23" /><ref name=":2" /><ref name=":16" /> Its bow sank and one crew member died of hypothermia,<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":12">{{Cite web |date=16 December 2024 |title=Sailors Rescued From Second Russian Oil Tanker Damaged in Storm |url=https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2024/12/16/sailors-rescued-from-second-russian-oil-tanker-damaged-in-storm-a87341 |access-date=16 December 2024 |website=The Moscow Times |language=en}}</ref> with the majority of its cargo being spilled.<ref name=":16" /> Soon after ''Volgoneft-212'' was damaged, ''Volgoneft-239'' sustained damage and lost power, drifting for several hours<ref name=":2" /><ref name=":16" /> until it ran aground approximately 80 metres from shore near the Port of Taman.<ref name=":6" /><ref name=":4" />

Two rescue tugboats were sent from Kerch, while two [[Mil Mi-8|Mi-8 helicopters]] and over 50 people were deployed to assist in the rescue efforts.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":5">{{Cite web |date=15 December 2024 |title=Two Russian Oil Tankers Sinking in Black Sea's Kerch Strait |url=https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2024/12/15/two-russian-oil-tankers-sinking-in-black-seas-kerch-strait-a87339 |access-date=15 December 2024 |website=The Moscow Times |language=en}}</ref> The rescue efforts were complicated due to the darkness and the storm,<ref name=":8">{{Cite web |date=15 December 2024 |title=Two Tanker Incidents Near Kerch Strait Raise Alarms |url=https://evrimagaci.org/tpg/two-tanker-incidents-near-kerch-strait-raise-alarms-91202 |access-date=15 December 2024 |website=The Pinnacle Gazette |language=en}}</ref> though the remaining crew members of ''Volgoneft-212'' were rescued,<ref name=":1" /> at least eight of which had to be rescued from the water. 11 crew members were hospitalised, two of which were treated for [[hypothermia]].<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":4" /> 

Efforts to rescue the crew of ''Volgoneft-239'' were temporarily suspended due to inclement weather, with the vessel having all necessary means to ensure the safety of the crew, though rescuers maintained contact with the vessel.<ref>{{Cite web |date=15 December 2024 |title=Oil spill near Black Sea after two Russian tankers seriously damaged in storm |url=https://www.france24.com/en/europe/20241215-oil-spill-near-black-sea-after-two-russian-tankers-seriously-damaged-in-storm |access-date=15 December 2024 |website=France 24 |language=en}}</ref> Rescue efforts were resumed the following day, rescuing the entire crew.<ref name=":9" />

=== Nearby incidents ===
''Volgoneft-109'', which was built in 1973 with a capacity of 4,700 summer deadweight,<ref>{{Cite web |title=VOLGONEFT-109 |url=https://maritimeoptima.com/public/vessels/pages/imo:8230651/mmsi:273442960/VOLGONEFT_109.html |access-date=18 December 2024 |website=Maritime Optima}}</ref> was carrying approximately 4,000 tonnes of mazut and was anchored near Port Kavkaz in the Kerch Strait when it broadcast a distress signal early on 17 December. The captain reported an internal crack in a cargo tank which was leaking its cargo into a [[ballast tank]].<ref name=":17" /><ref name=":19">{{Cite web |date=17 December 2024 |title=As Fuel Washes Up on Black Sea Beaches, Third Russian Tanker Reports Leak |url=https://maritime-executive.com/article/as-fuel-washes-up-on-black-sea-beaches-third-russian-tanker-reports-leak |access-date=18 December 2024 |website=The Maritime Executive |language=en}}</ref> The crew remained aboard and was assisted by a salvage vessel,<ref name=":19" /> with a spokesperson from the [[Federal Agency for Sea and Inland Water Transport]] stating that "The water tightness of the hull itself is not compromised, there is no leakage into the sea."<ref name=":17">{{Cite web |date=17 December 2024 |title=Third Tanker Sends Distress Signal as Russia Deals With Black Sea Oil Spill |url=https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2024/12/17/third-tanker-sends-distress-signal-as-russia-deals-with-black-sea-oil-spill-a87371 |access-date=17 December 2024 |website=The Moscow Times |language=en}}</ref>

== Aftermath ==
President [[Vladimir Putin]] ordered the government to create a group to coordinate the rescue efforts and attempt to lessen the ecological effects of the oil spill after meeting with the ministers of [[Ministry of Emergency Situations (Russia)|Emergency Situations]] and [[Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (Russia)|Natural Resources and Environment]], [[Aleksandr Kurenkov]] and [[Aleksandr Kozlov (politician, born 1981)|Alexander Kozlov]] respectively.<ref name=":0" /> He further appointed Deputy Prime Minister [[Vitaly Savelyev]] to head a task force aimed at mitigating the damage to the environment.<ref name=":6" />

Svetlana Radionova, head of [[Federal Service for Supervision of Natural Resources|Rosprirodnadzor]], arrived on 16 December,<ref name=":23" /><ref name=":0" /> stating that specialists were assessing the site,<ref name=":0" /> with teams from the Marine Rescue Service and the Ministry of Emergency Situations being dispatched to attempt to mitigate the environmental effects.<ref name=":6" /> The [[Federal Agency for Fishery]] stated that "After the weather normalizes and disaster relief efforts are completed, an assessment of the damage to marine life will be given."<ref name=":12" /> It was discovered that ''Vologneft-239'' had also began spilling oil, though some of the fuel containers on both vessels were still intact. The oil from the vessels began drifting towards the coast north west of the [[Port of Taman]], Krasnodar Krai, between the [[Tuzla Spit]] and Cape Panagiya,<ref name=":9" /><ref name=":10" /> though as of that afternoon it had not reached the shoreline.<ref name=":13">{{Cite web |date=16 December 2024 |title=Damaged Russian ships likely spilled 3,700 tonnes of oil in Kerch Strait |url=https://www.business-standard.com/world-news/russian-ships-spill-3-700-tons-of-oil-into-kerch-strait-state-media-says-124121601169_1.html |access-date=16 December 2024 |website=Business Standard}}</ref> It was believed that approximately 3,700 tonnes of oil had been spilled.<ref name=":16" /><ref name=":13" /><ref>{{Cite web |date=16 December 2024 |title=Damaged Russian ships spilled an estimated 3,700 tons of oil in Kerch Strait, state media says |url=https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/damaged-russian-ships-spilled-estimated-3700-tons-oil-116827164 |access-date=16 December 2024 |website=ABC News |language=en}}</ref>

Reports of puddles of oil building up on the coastline began on 17 December, with approximately 37 miles of coastline between the [[Crimean Bridge]] and [[Anapa]], [[Anapsky District]] becoming polluted.<ref name=":20" /><ref name=":15">{{Cite web |date=17 December 2024 |title=Пятна мазута обнаружены на побережье Кубани после ЧП с танкерами |trans-title=Fuel oil stains found on Kuban coast after tanker incident |url=https://www.interfax.ru/russia/998080 |access-date=17 December 2024 |website=Interfax |language=ru}}</ref> A [[state of emergency]] was later declared in both the Anapsky and [[Temryuksky District|Temryuksky Districts]].<ref name=":17" /><ref name=":18">{{Cite web |last=Mayer |first=Chloe |date=17 December 2024 |title=Russian regions declare state of emergency after tankers "split in half" |url=https://www.newsweek.com/russian-tanker-split-oil-spill-disaster-2002158 |access-date=17 December 2024 |website=Newsweek |language=en}}</ref> There were also reports of birds covered in oil, either dead or struggling to fly on the shoreline; while one such report was from Volna, a short distance east of the Port of Taman, another two were from a beach near Anapa and [[Vityazevo, Krasnodar Krai|Vityazevo]], approximately 30 miles to the south east.<ref>{{Cite web |date=17 December 2024 |title=Oil spill stretches for kilometers as Russian tankers sink near Crimea |url=https://english.nv.ua/life/russian-tankers-sink-in-kerch-strait-sparking-massive-black-sea-oil-spill-50474846.html |access-date=17 December 2024 |website=The New Voice of Ukraine |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=17 December 2024 |title=Oil Spill Washes Up on Russia's Black Sea Coast After Storm Hits Aging Tankers |url=https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2024/12/17/oil-spill-washes-up-on-russias-black-sea-coast-after-storm-hits-aging-tankers-a87364 |access-date=17 December 2024 |website=The Moscow Times |language=en}}</ref> Kondratyev also said "There are currently 267 people working on site from emergency services, with 50 units of equipment involved. If necessary, we will increase the number of forces and resources,"<ref name=":15" /> though other estimates placed the number at 500 volunteers.<ref name=":18" /> According to satellite imagery, ''Volgoneft-239'' was still aground and was slowly breaking apart as of 17 December.<ref name=":16" />

Approximately 80 tonnes of oil was recovered by 18 December,<ref name=":21">{{Cite web |date=18 December 2024 |title=Russia: Oil spill covers nearly 50 kilometers of coastline following the sinking of two tankers in the Black Sea |url=https://en.protothema.gr/2024/12/18/russia-oil-spill-covers-nearly-50-kilometers-of-coastline-following-the-sinking-of-two-tankers-in-the-black-sea/ |access-date=18 December 2024 |website=ProtoThema |language=en}}</ref> with the number of volunteers rising to approximately 4,000<ref>{{Cite web |date=18 December 2024 |title='Oil is everywhere': Russians tackle Black Sea spill |url=https://denvergazette.com/news/nation-world/oil-is-everywhere-russians-tackle-black-sea-spill/article_1ee6b308-0817-563b-9c86-03cd7bc4181c.html |access-date=18 December 2024 |website=Denver Gazette |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":21" /> alongside approximately 1,500 rescue workers and officials by 19 December.<ref name=":22">{{Cite web |date=19 December 2024 |title=Birds and dolphins are early victims in Black Sea oil spill that's contaminated 35 miles of coastline and threatens region's ecosystem for years to come |url=https://meduza.io/en/feature/2024/12/20/birds-and-dolphins-are-early-victims-in-black-sea-oil-spill-that-s-contaminated-35-miles-of-coastline-and-threatens-region-s-ecosystem-for-years-to-come |access-date=20 December 2024 |website=Meduza |language=en}}</ref> Sergey Stranichny, a senior marine scientist, stated that satellite monitoring up to 18 December had shown that the cargo of ''Volgoneft-212'' was still leaking, noting that strong winds were spreading it to the east.<ref>{{Cite web |date=18 December 2024 |title=Fuel oil continues to leak from wrecked tanker near Kerch Strait — satellite data |url=https://tass.com/economy/1889401 |access-date=19 December 2024 |website=TASS}}</ref> Clean-up efforts were hindered by the ongoing storm.<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Mezzofiore |first1=Gianluca |last2=Stockwell |first2=Billy |last3=Tarasova |first3=Darya |last4=Chernova |first4=Anna |last5=Edwards |first5=Christian |date=18 December 2024 |title=Russia's Black Sea beaches flooded with oil from wreck of tankers |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2024/12/18/europe/russian-tankers-oil-spill-beaches-black-sea-intl/index.html |access-date=19 December 2024 |website=CNN |language=en}}</ref> 80 miles of coastline had been surveyed by the following day, with over 860 tons of contaminated soil being removed from Krasnodar Krai that afternoon using 184 pieces of heavy machinery.<ref name=":22" /> By 22 December, more than 12,000 tons of contaminated soil had been removed along 21 miles of coastline.<ref name="race">{{Cite web |date=23 December 2024 |title=A race is on to clean up shorelines off Crimea after tons of oil spills from damaged Russian ships |url=https://apnews.com/article/russia-kerch-strait-oil-shipping-storm-crimea-bea39551202e1fe4d993c7ca0b66f351 |access-date=23 December 2024 |website=Associated Press |language=en}}</ref> 

Viktor Danilov-Danilyan, scientific head of the Water Problems Institute of the [[Russian Academy of Sciences]] and ex-minister for the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, later stated in a press conference that "There are no bulldozers there, no trucks. Practically no heavy machinery." and that the volunteers have "shovels and useless plastic bags that rip apart [...] While the bags wait to finally be collected, storms arrive and they end up back in the sea. It’s unthinkable!"<ref name=":24">{{Cite news |last= |first= |date=25 December 2024 |title=Russian scientists criticise cleanup efforts after oil spill in Black Sea |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/dec/25/russian-scientists-criticise-cleanup-efforts-after-oil-spill-in-black-sea |access-date=26 December 2024 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}</ref>

Grigory Prokopov, a research associate at the Center for Freshwater and Brackish-Water Hydrobiology, stated that between 2,000–5,000 birds could be affected by the incident, including migratory birds in the area. Vladimir Romanov, Director of the Russian Ornithological Society, stated that up to 10,000 birds could become affected, and that pollution could kill up to and greater than half. A rescue centre was opened in Vityazevo, with volunteers working to remove oil from affected birds and veterinarians deciding whether they should be released or moved elsewhere. Dmitry Glazov, a research associate at the Severtsov Institute of Ecology and Evolution, stated that the incident affected a "critical area" for dolphins in the Black Sea, believing that it could "impact the ecosystem for at least another 10 years, if not longer."<ref name=":22" /> At least 11 dolphins were found dead after their airways were clogged by oil fuel.<ref name="race"/>

Delfa Dolphin Rescue and Research Centre reported that, on 22 December, some of the bags used to collect sand polluted by oil were swept by the water into the Black Sea after they were left on the shore.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Perepechko |first=Iryna |date=23 December 2024 |title=Fuel oil is still leaking from a sunken Russian tanker into the Black Sea — mass dolphin death recorded |url=https://babel.ua/en/news/113889-fuel-oil-is-still-leaking-from-a-sunken-russian-tanker-into-the-black-sea-mass-dolphin-release-recorded |access-date=24 December 2024 |website=Babel |language=en}}</ref> The following day, it was reported by Kozlov that up to 200,000 tonnes of sand may have been polluted.<ref name=":24" />

A region-wide state of emergency was declared in Krasnodar Krai on 25 December due to the scale of the oil spill.<ref>{{Cite web |date=25 December 2024 |title=Krasnodar Declares Regional Emergency as Black Sea Oil Spill Cleanup Stalls |url=https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2024/12/25/krasnodar-declares-regional-emergency-as-black-sea-oil-spill-cleanup-stalls-a87455 |access-date=25 December 2024 |website=The Moscow Times}}</ref> According to Kondratyev that day, almost 30,000 tonnes of polluted materials had been collected.<ref name=":24" />

=== Investigation ===
Separate criminal cases were opened by the [[Investigative Committee of Russia|State Investigative Committee]] (SIC) for each vessel.<ref name=":23" /><ref name=":0" /> Both were initially opened due to potential breaches of maritime safety regulations, though the case involving ''Volgoneft-212'' was later expanded to include charges relating to [[negligent homicide]] due to the death of a crew member.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":8" /> 

At a press conference, President Vladimir Putin said "Law enforcement bodies will give an assessment of the actions of the ships’ captains. I was informed that the captains violated regulations by not taking shelter in time. Some vessels did take shelter, and they are fine. And these ones did not. Moreover, they anchored where they shouldn’t have."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Martin |first=Eric |date=20 December 2024 |title=Russian spill sparks call for fully implementing IMO's Arctic fuel oil ban |url=https://www.tradewindsnews.com/sustainability/russian-spill-sparks-call-for-fully-implementing-imo-s-arctic-fuel-oil-ban/2-1-1757662 |url-access=subscription |archive-url=https://archive.ph/5y8fY |archive-date=20 December 2024 |access-date=20 December 2024 |website=TradeWinds |language=en}}</ref> On 19 December, one of the captains was placed under investigative custody for two months, while the other was placed under house arrest on suspicion of breaching maritime safety regulations.<ref>{{Cite web |date=21 December 2024 |title=Volunteers battle to clear spilled oil on Russia's Black Sea coast |url=https://www.straitstimes.com/world/europe/volunteers-battle-to-clear-spilled-oil-on-russias-black-sea-coast |access-date=21 December 2024 |website=The Straits Times}}</ref>

According to Dmitry Zatsarinsky, a lawyer in Russia, the investigation could last between several months and more than a year, with the potential for sentencing being up to five years imprisonment or [[Labor camp|correctional labour]] for violating maritime safety regulations.<ref name=":23" />

=== Reactions ===
Natalia Gozak, Director of [[Greenpeace]]'s Ukrainian office, compared the incident to the November 2007 spillage including ''Volgoneft-139'', telling [[Sky News]] "We are monitoring the situation, and it's not good in terms of environmental consequences." She stated that the ''Volgoneft-139'' incident negatively effected the biodiversity and marine life in the area for years, and that "we can expect a similar impact for years to come. What we have seen from the previous event was that even after one year the levels of pollution stayed really high, with traces observed years and years later. [...] Considering a storm is involved, and the ships are reported to have been carrying thousands of tonnes of oil, I think a new environmental catastrophe is on its way."<ref name=":7" />

Dmytro Pletenchuk, the spokesman for the [[Ukrainian Navy]], said "These are quite old Russian tankers. You can’t go to sea in such a storm. The Russians violated the operating rules. The result is an accident."<ref name=":2" /> [[Mykhailo Podolyak]], an advisor to the Head of the Office of the [[Volodymyr Zelenskyy|President of Ukraine]], called the [[2022 Russian crude oil price cap sanctions#Creation of shadow fleet of tankers|Russian shadow fleet]] "hopelessly outdated", saying that they often "have fictitious insurance policies, conceal their true owners, and often overload oil at sea." and that further incidents are "statistically inevitable". He called for "the most stringent [[International sanctions during the Russian invasion of Ukraine|sanctions]] against shadow fleet vessels and their associated persons," that Russian ships be banned from territorial and international waters and that they be forced to use [[protection and indemnity insurance]] coverage. On 16 December, the [[European Union]] adopted sanctions against, among other entities, 52 vessels from the Russian shadow fleet, bringing the total of sanctioned vessels to 79.<ref name=":14">{{Cite news |last=Harding |first=Luke |date=16 December 2024 |title=Ukraine calls for sanctions against Russia oil tankers over Black Sea spill |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/dec/16/ukraine-calls-for-sanctions-against-russia-oil-tankers-over-black-sea-spill |access-date=16 December 2024 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}</ref>

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== Notes ==
{{Notelist}}

{{2024 shipwrecks}}
{{Kerch Strait}}
[[Category:Kerch Strait]]
[[Category:Maritime incidents in 2024]]
[[Category:Oil spills in international waters]]
[[Category:December 2024 events in Russia]]
[[Category:2024 disasters in Russia]]
[[Category:Oil spills in Europe]]