- Massive Fuel Oil Spill Causes Environmental Damage in Ukraine
- Russian Captain Accused of Causing Oil Spill in Ukrainian Waters
- Ukraine Launches Investigation into Black Sea Pollution Incident
Ukraine’s Prosecutor General has kicked off legal action against a Russian tanker captain, accusing him of causing a significant oil spill in Ukrainian waters back in December 2024, reports Marine Insight.
Incident Overview and Environmental Impact
The spill dumped around 1,500 tonnes of fuel oil into the Black Sea, leading to environmental damage that’s estimated to exceed $480 million. This incident involved two Russian tankers making their way through the Kerch Strait, a vital route linking the Sea of Azov to the Black Sea.
Tanker Damage and Captain Under Investigation
Amid a storm, one tanker sank while the other ran aground and eventually broke apart. Ukrainian authorities are now investigating the captain of one of these vessels, although his identity and the specific tanker he was in charge of haven’t been made public. This captain, labelled as a citizen of the aggressor state, is accused of not properly considering the harsh winter weather while navigating the Azov and Black Seas and the Kerch Strait, which led to mechanical failure and the resulting oil spill into Ukrainian territorial waters.
Cargo and Sanctions Evasion Allegations
The tankers were transporting several thousand tonnes of fuel oil from a Russian port to another destination. Ukrainian officials allege that the fuel was meant for transfer to a shadow fleet tanker operating in international waters, suggesting that Russia was trying to dodge international sanctions.
Incident Circumstances and AIS Disabling
One tanker sank entirely, resulting in the tragic death of one crew member, while the other ran aground near a crucial bridge and later broke apart. Notably, both ships had turned off their Automatic Identification System (AIS) for several days leading up to the incident.
Cleanup Efforts and Environmental Concerns
After the spill, oil made its way onto various parts of Ukraine’s Black Sea coast. In response, Ukrainian authorities kicked off a major cleanup operation, all while battling the harsh winter weather. Environmental experts have raised alarms that the ongoing stormy conditions could make the cleanup even tougher and worsen the long-term ecological damage to marine life and coastal ecosystems.
Investigations and Legal Proceedings in Ukraine
Ukrainian law enforcement agencies, guided by the Prosecutor General’s Office, are currently conducting the investigation. They’ve issued a formal notice of suspicion to the captain, who is expected to face charges in absentia.
Russian Response and Compensation Claims
On the Russian side, authorities have reported that the spill impacted areas along their coast and in territories they occupy, prompting several local governments to declare states of emergency. The Russian Federal Service for Supervision of Natural Resources is now demanding hefty compensation from the owners of the tankers involved.
Ongoing Disputes and Accusations
Ukraine is accusing Russia of trying to downplay the spill’s severity and insists that the tankers had no business being in Ukrainian waters. Ukrainian officials argue that the spill breached environmental laws and has caused lasting damage to both marine and coastal ecosystems.
Related Maritime Seizures Over Alleged Crimean Grain Transport
In a different incident in 2024, Ukraine seized a cargo ship near the Danube, claiming it was illegally transporting grain that had been stolen from occupied Crimea. Courts ruled in favour of the ship’s seizure, and legal actions against its crew began for entering a disputed port. More recently, in April 2025, Ukraine announced the seizure of another cargo vessel accused of carrying looted grain from Crimea.
Did you subscribe to our daily Newsletter?
It’s Free Click here to Subscribe!
Source: Marine Insight
