On November 11 a powerful storm arose in the northeastern Black Sea. By the end of it, Russia and Ukraine faced serious environmental damage from an oil spill and a potentially acrimonious diplomatic situation.
According to Ukraine's Emergency Situations Ministry, after the storm four ships had foundered, another six had run aground, and two tankers were damaged in the narrow Kerch Strait, at the entrance to the Sea of Azov between Russia and Ukraine. One of the damaged ships was the Volgoneft-139, which was carrying more than 4,000 tons of fuel oil. Smashed by 67 mph winds and 16-foot waves, the ship split in two, spilling more than half its cargo (Ukrains'ke Radio, November 13).