New Fuel Oil Leaks Spotted From Sunken Russian Tankers In Kerch Strait

Satellite images have revealed new leaks of fuel oil from two Russian tankers that sank in the Kerch Strait in December 2024.

On 15 December 2024, the tankers Volgoneft 239 and Volgoneft 212 broke apart during a severe storm and released large amounts of fuel oil into the waters of Black Sea of Azov.

According to Greenpeace Ukraine, around 4,300 tons of fuel oil was spilt. Part of the oil was thrown onto the shore, while the rest sank to the seabed due to cold temperatures.

However, experts now say that as temperatures rise, more of the oil that had settled underwater is starting to float to the surface, leading to fresh spills.

The images recently shared by Ukrainian authorities and Russian scientists show dark slicks near the tanker wreckage site.

On March 31, 2025, Russian environmentalist Georgy Kavanosyan posted a radar image online showing an oil trail at the entrance to the strait, close to the bow section of the sunken Volgoneft 239.

Another expert, Igor Shkradyuk, estimated that hundreds of litres of fuel oil are now leaking into the sea each day and warned the leakage could continue through the warmer months.

Environmental groups believe the impact of the spill is already visible along the coasts of occupied Crimea and Russia’s Krasnodar region.

They expect more fuel oil to reach these shores in April. Areas near the Dzhantsheysky and Sasyk estuaries, as well as the Danube Biosphere Reserve, have already reported visible pollution.

On the beach of Tuzlivski Lymany National Park, officials collected up to 4 kilograms of fuel oil, while millions of small oil particles remain floating in the Black Sea.

Video Credits: Associated Press/YouTube

Despite the worsening situation, Russian officials have not started recovery efforts to remove the sunken tankers. Authorities say this operation will begin only next year.

Instead of focusing on a real cleanup plan, critics claim the Russian government is trying to show that everything is under control through propaganda.

One controversial move involves sending thousands of children to the affected area for “rehabilitation,” which environmentalists say is an attempt to distract from the crisis.

The Russian Ministry of Emergency Situations denies any new pollution even after the confirmation of ongoing leaks by environmental experts and satellite data.

Video Credits: euronews/YouTube

The ministry stated that it is monitoring the wreck sites daily using patrol boats, drones, satellite technology, and underwater equipment.

Minister Alexander Kurenkov said divers are regularly inspecting the wrecks and surrounding seabed within a kilometre wide zone from the coast.

At the same time, the Russian environmental agency Rosprirodnadzor has filed a lawsuit against the owners of the tankers Kama Shipping and Volgatranseft CFC.

The agency claims the vessels were operating beyond their technical limits in harsh winter conditions. The damages claim amounts to 85 billion rubles (approximately $1 billion).

If the companies do not pay within a month, the agency plans to take the matter to court.

Experts believe that cleanup efforts could take at least three years, while the full recovery of the Black Sea’s coastline may take anywhere from five to ten years.

Reference: Ukranews