Two Russian ships damaged in stormy weather over the weekend have spilled about 3,700 tons (3,350 tonnes) of low-grade fuel into the Kerch Strait in Russian-occupied Crimea, Russian state media reported on Monday, threatening an environmental disaster in the biodiversity hotspot.
The vessels were carrying about 9,200 tons (8,300 tonnes) of mazut – a heavy, low-quality oil product that’s mainly used in power plants. The tankers were on their way to deliver fuel for the Russian Navy amid Russia’s war on Ukraine when they got caught in the bad weather and broke apart on Sunday. At least one crew member on one of the ships died in the storm, Russian authorities said.
