A spill of over 300 tons of oil products was recorded in the Black Sea — a tanker from the “shadow fleet” is suspected
16.04.2026 - 11:06
Sentinel-1 satellite images indicate the appearance of an oil slick in the Kerch Strait area as early as April 7.
A large-scale oil spill has been recorded on the coast of Anapa, Russia, near Vityazevo. This was reported by the head of the Center for the Study of Occupation, Petro Andryushchenko, referring to Sentinel-1 satellite monitoring data.
The first signs of pollution were detected on a radar image from April 7. A comparison with data from April 6 shows that the spill probably occurred during the night or morning of April 7. According to preliminary estimates, the volume of the spill exceeds 300 tons.
At the time of recording the spill in the area of coordinates 44°51’20” N, 36°42’17” E, the tanker Sofia (IMO 9211999) under the Russian flag was located. It is this vessel that is considered the main candidate for the source of the pollution.
The Russian tanker “Sofia” is linked to the so-called shadow fleet, which the Russians use to circumvent sanctions.
USM also recently wrote that Europe’s second-largest port has halted shipping due to an oil spill.
