On the morning of 15 December, rough waves in the Black Sea damaged two tankers 8 km from the shore of the Kerch Strait.

The cargo ship Volgoneft-212 was reported to have had difficulties off the east coast of Crimea. The carrier snapped in half after being hit by a large wave and sank into the ocean.

One person was killed when the 136-metre tanker was impacted, and 12 other people were evacuated, two of whom were in serious condition. The Volgoneft-212 was carrying 4,300 tonnes of low-grade heavy fuel oil, which spilled into the ocean.

Shortly afterwards, another cargo ship, the Volgoneft-239, encountered the same harsh sea conditions and was damaged. The second tanker was carrying 4 tonnes of fuel oil and 14 crew aboard. Reports suggested that the second ship also began to sink.

Two tugboats and two helicopters were dispatched to aid in the rescue operations.