RT quoted information from the Russian Ministry of Emergency Situations as saying that two oil tankers sank in the Kerch Strait, the route connecting the Black Sea with the Sea of Azov, early in the morning of December 15.
The Volganeft 212 and Volganeft 239 sent out a distress signal, requesting assistance amid high winds and waves. The Russian Water Transport Agency said there were a total of 29 crew members on board the two vessels.
According to Russian media reports, large waves hit oil tankers several kilometers off the Black Sea coast. The Volganeft 212, carrying more than 4,000 tons of fuel oil, ran aground, while the Volgoneft 239 is drifting after being damaged.
Mi-8 emergency rescue helicopters have flown response teams to the Kerch Strait area to assist the vessels. However, their efforts have been hampered by worsening weather.
A rescue boat has also been dispatched to the area. The Emergencies Ministry said that so far, 13 crew members of the two damaged tankers have been brought to safety and one death has been confirmed.
Initial findings suggest that one of the ships broke in two after a storm caused it to run aground. Russia's Southern Transport Prosecutor's Office said it was investigating the incident.
