Ukraine-Russia war latest: Putin accused of ‘violating rules’ as two Russian oil tankers wrecked near Crimea
Two Russian oil tankers have sustained severe damage in the Kerch Strait, with Ukraine accusing Vladimir Putin of “violating operating rules” for sending old vessels out into the sea during bad weather.
The Volgoneft 212 tanker had 15 people on board and was carrying about 4,000 tonnes of oil when it split in half, with its bow sinking. At least one sailor died in the incident, Russian officials said. The vessel sank, spilling oil into the Black Sea near Crimea, which Russia annexed from Ukraine in 2014
Russia deployed tugboats, helicopters and more than 50 personnel to rescue the crew members from the 1969-built vessel, before suspending the rescue operation due to bad weather on Sunday.
The second Russian-flagged ship, the Volgoneft 239, was drifting after sustaining damage, Russian officials said.
Meanwhile, Ukraine’s military claimed Russian soldiers were killed by North Korean troops in friendly fire while fighting in Kursk.
The HUR said a group of North Korean soldiers opened fire on and killed eight members of the Chechen Akhmat unit fighting for Russia.
