Espreso. Global

Black Sea tankers wreck: IMO holds Russia responsible

Sofiia Turko
4 February, 2025 Tuesday
20:57

The International Maritime Organization has accused Russia of negligence after the sinking of oil tankers in the Black Sea

client/title.list_title

Ukrainska Pravda reported that at a session held in late January in the UK, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) accused Russia of negligence in the sinking of oil tankers in the Black Sea. It called on Moscow to take all necessary measures to prevent further environmental damage. The issue was discussed during a subcommittee meeting on pollution prevention and response, where Ukraine presented evidence of severe ecological consequences caused by the spill.  

According to Ukraine’s Ministry of Environmental Protection, the disaster resulted in the deaths of over 700 seabirds and 61 dolphins due to toxic oil exposure. 

Ukrainian representatives stressed that the incident constituted a violation of international law and urged the IMO to hold Russia accountable. Delegations from Australia, Canada, Japan, Norway, the UK, the US, and the European Union supported Ukraine, condemning Russia’s actions and attributing the accident to its failure to comply with maritime safety regulations.  

The environmental disaster began in late 2024 when two Russian oil tankers broke apart in the Kerch Strait, releasing approximately 4,300 tons of oil into the Black Sea. By early January 2025, oil slicks had spread to Crimea’s shores, forming patches up to 15 kilometers long, and later reached the coast of the Azov Sea. In Ukraine’s Odesa region, seabirds covered in oil were discovered, with at least one confirmed fatality. Environmental activists, including Greenpeace Ukraine, warned that Russia’s militarization of the Black and Azov Seas continues to contribute to ecological crises in the region.

  • As part of the sanctions against Russia announced on January 10, the United States for the first time imposed restrictions on 6 Russian oil tankers that are still under construction.

 

 

 

Tags:
Read also:
  • News
2025, Thursday
13 February
22:00
Exclusive
Heart of Ukraine: interactive Valentine’s Day installation unveiled at Kyiv’s railway station
21:45
Exclusive
'Starved and tortured': freed Azov fighter reveals horrors of Olenivka prison
21:31
Exclusive
Putin, Zelenskyy will not get everything they want, but peace will be achieved — U.S. Defense Secretary
21:20
Exclusive
Ukraine Russia war live map, February 5-12
Russian army returns to using armored vehicles near Pokrovsk – Ukrainian military
21:10
OPINION
Operation against Poroshenko: strategic move to divide society
20:57
Exclusive
Ukrainian intelligence destroys Valdai radar near Moscow: expert explains how
20:42
Exclusive
Sanctions against Poroshenko might be politically motivated before elections - MP
20:24
U.S. sanctions ICC Prosecutor Karim Khan who issued Putin arrest warrant
20:11
Exclusive
Ukraine risks future war as Trump rejects NATO membership and security guarantees
19:56
Fico publishes photo with Putin, says calls Ukraine and EU are "losers"
19:40
Exclusive
Many EU politicians see Ukraine ceasefire as done deal — Espreso correspondent from Brussels
19:25
'Nothing discredits Hungarian officials more than their actions': Ukraine’s MFA on Budapest’s accusations
19:10
Exclusive
"Approaching Mariupol, we realized this was a real major invasion": former POW told about city's defense
18:55
Press release
Kostiantyn Zhevago considers sanctions imposed on him illegal - businessman's press service
18:41
Exclusive
Russian military drills ahead of February 24 were wake-up call - released Azov fighter
18:25
'Any deal made behind our backs won’t work': Kaja Kallas on negotiations with Russia
18:07
'Poland, Europe, entire West need full cooperation': Tusk urges ending disputes over Ukraine
17:51
Hungary’s Orbán slams EU statement on Ukraine peace talks as 'worthless'
17:34
Trump must be more realistic on Russia talks — Ukrainian MP on Trump-Putin call
17:16
Trump's British ally Farage backs Ukraine joining NATO despite past criticism
16:54
Russia deliberately targeted Mariupol shelters marked "Children" and "Civilians" — Azov soldier, released from captivity
16:33
Moldova recovers Russian drone wreckage, summons Russian ambassador
16:15
Two newest Russian radar systems explode near Moscow
15:54
Exclusive
No reason to say Ukraine's fate will be decided behind its back — military expert
15:35
China suggests Putin-Trump summit as solution to end war against Ukraine
15:16
Russia denies talks of recognizing Crimea, occupied territories as Russian in Trump-Putin call
14:53
Secret Gravehawk air defense system for Ukraine unveiled – and it's not what you'd expect
14:40
Ukraine’s parliament work blocked by MPs protesting political repression
14:21
Ukraine's role crucial in peace talks after Trump-Putin call, NATO chief says
13:56
Zelenskyy imposes sanctions against Ukraine’s former President Poroshenko
13:38
Exclusive
"Unprecedented case in nuclear energy history": Expert on Ukraine buying reactors from Bulgaria
13:15
Poland warns Ukraine not to expect NATO invitation to “fall from the sky”
12:54
Trump's ex-advisor: Kremlin drinks vodka straight from bottle after Trump-Putin talk
12:35
Around 7,000 civilians remain in Ukraine’s Pokrovsk as evacuation continues
12:15
Review
Return to pre-war borders is unrealistic: New Pentagon chief's statements at Ramstein and Ukraine's stance. Serhiy Zgurets' column
11:52
Russian forces block water and humanitarian aid deliveries to civilians in frontline areas
11:35
"Putin would say he won": Trump says he'll keep supporting Ukraine
11:16
Russian civilians evacuated to Ukraine after Russia’s deadly strike on shelter
10:54
116 clashes occur at front on Feb. 12: Russia launches over 5,000 strikes on Ukraine
10:33
European countries and Ukraine demand a say in any peace talks
More news