Both vessels were carrying approximately 4,000 tons of fuel oil on board each, according to Baza.
"There's a bow and there are two ships , torn in half,"
— more footage from the site of the wreck of Russian tankers in the Kerch Strait.
The Russian Emergencies Ministry officially confirmed that the Volgoneft-212 and Volgoneft-239 are sinking. An MI-8 helicopter has been dispatched to the scene. There are 13 people and fuel oil on board the Volgoneft-212, and 14 people and oil products on board the Volgoneft-239.
"More than 50 specialists and 11 pieces of equipment are already involved in eliminating the consequences. Further information is being clarified," the Ministry of Emergency Situations reports.