Approximately 40% of the tankers’ 9,200-ton cargo spilled into the water, polluting a 50-kilometer stretch of coastline in Russia’s Krasnodar region.

Reports indicate that both ships had deactivated their tracking systems days before the accident, raising questions about compliance with safety protocols.

Environmental advocates argue for stricter oversight and the retirement of aging vessels.

As incidents like this increase — up 62% in Russia between 2022 and 2023 — preventive measures are more urgent than ever.