Spilled fuel oil from Russian tankers may reach Odesa and Mykolaiv shores, Ukrainian Navy

"The current is structured in such a way that, most likely, this (fuel oil from Russian tankers – ed.) may reach our Odesa and Mykolaiv coastlines. There is such a probability, of course," the spokesman stated.

Pletenchuk emphasized that Ukraine does not interfere with civilian ships militarily, which allows Russia to continue using the Kerch Strait for its operations.

"We do not affect civilian shipping regarding direct fire engagement because Ukraine is a civilized country. Therefore, they (Russians -ed.) continue transshipments, as they have little choice. They understand perfectly well that without oil exports and without income, it will be even more difficult for them to wage this war," the Spokesman for the Ukrainian Navy added.

Russian tanker accidents

On December 15, two Russian tankers, Volgoneft-212 and Volgoneft-239, sank in the Kerch Strait due to a severe storm.

Later, it was reported that another tanker near the port of Kavkaz was involved in an accident, resulting in the spill of at least 3,000 tons of fuel oil into the sea. Oil slicks have already reached the beaches of Russia's Krasnodar region and Crimea.

Remnants of fuel oil from the Russian tankers continue to be discovered along the coast, and the environmental disaster has led to the death of dolphins in the Kerch Strait.

For more details on the Russian tanker accident near Crimea, read our article on the topic.