Oil Spill Hits Kerch Strait After Tanker Disasters

Shorelines around the Kerch Strait have been contaminated with oil following a series of incidents involving aging Russian tankers in recent days.

Videos shared on social media on Monday revealed birds along the coast coated in mazut, a thick, low-grade oil product. The spill, estimated at 3,700 tonnes, has begun washing ashore, with authorities expecting more oil to reach the coastline in the coming days.

The spill follows severe damage to two oil-laden tankers, both over 50 years old, which were battered by stormy weather in the Black Sea over the weekend.

A third vessel from the same operator sustained hull damage on Monday, resulting in a crack near the bridge. Footage captured from the scene shows fuel oil leaking from the ship into the sea.

All three tankers, which are designed for river navigation, were ill-suited to withstand the rough sea conditions encountered in the Black Sea, contributing to the environmental disaster.