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Damage to 2 Russian Tankers Causes Black Sea Oil Products Spill

This photo taken from a video released by the Russian Southern Transport Prosecutor's Office, shows a Volgoneft 212 tanker wrecked by a storm in the Kerch Strait, Russia, Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024. (The Russian Southern Transport Prosecutor's Office via AP)
This photo taken from a video released by the Russian Southern Transport Prosecutor's Office, shows a Volgoneft 212 tanker wrecked by a storm in the Kerch Strait, Russia, Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024. (The Russian Southern Transport Prosecutor's Office via AP)
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Damage to 2 Russian Tankers Causes Black Sea Oil Products Spill

This photo taken from a video released by the Russian Southern Transport Prosecutor's Office, shows a Volgoneft 212 tanker wrecked by a storm in the Kerch Strait, Russia, Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024. (The Russian Southern Transport Prosecutor's Office via AP)
This photo taken from a video released by the Russian Southern Transport Prosecutor's Office, shows a Volgoneft 212 tanker wrecked by a storm in the Kerch Strait, Russia, Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024. (The Russian Southern Transport Prosecutor's Office via AP)

Damage caused to two Russian tankers in stormy weathers in the Black Sea caused an oil products spill, the Interfax news agency cited Russia's Federal Agency for Sea and Inland Water Transport (Rosmorrechflot) as saying on Sunday.

The two cargo ships were damaged due to bad weather in the Kerch Strait between mainland Russia and annexed Crimea and have requested assistance, Russia's emergency services ministry said on Sunday.

There were 13 people on board the Volgoneft 212 tanker, and 14 people on the second ship, the Volgoneft 239, the ministry said.

The ministry said more than 50 people and equipment including an Mi-8 helicopter and a rescue tugboat had been deployed.

Russia's Kommersant newspaper reported that the Volgoneft 212 tanker was carrying about 4,300 tons of fuel oil.

Unverified video posted on Telegram showed some blackened water on stormy seas and a half-submerged tanker.

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China Says Philippine Plan to Deploy Midrange Missiles Would Be 'Extremely Irresponsible'

A Chinese national flag flutters on a financial street in Beijing. (Reuters)
A Chinese national flag flutters on a financial street in Beijing. (Reuters)
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China Says Philippine Plan to Deploy Midrange Missiles Would Be 'Extremely Irresponsible'

A Chinese national flag flutters on a financial street in Beijing. (Reuters)
A Chinese national flag flutters on a financial street in Beijing. (Reuters)

China said a plan by the Philippines to deploy midrange missiles would be a provocative move that stokes regional tensions.
The Philippines top army official told reporters in Manila earlier on Monday that the military plans to acquire a midrange system to defend the country’s territory amid tensions with China in the South China Sea.
“Yes, there are plans, there are negotiations, because we see its feasibility and adaptability,” Lt. Gen. Roy Galido said.
The US deployed its Typhon midrange missile system in the northern Philippines in April and troops from both countries have been training jointly for the potential use of the heavy weaponry.
China opposes US military assistance to the Philippines and has been particularly alarmed by the deployment of the Typhon system. Under President Joe Biden, the US has strengthened an arc of military alliances in the Indo-Pacific to counter China, including in any confrontation over Taiwan.
China's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said that deployment of the weapon by the Philippines would intensify geopolitical confrontation and an arms race.
“It is an extremely irresponsible choice for the history and people of itself and the whole of Southeast Asia, as well as for the security of the region,” she told a daily briefing.
The Philippines would not necessarily buy the Typhon system, Galido said.
The army is working not only with the United States but with other friendly countries on a long list of weapons platforms that it plans to acquire, he said.
The Philippines defense plan includes protecting its exclusive economic zone, which reaches 200 nautical miles (370 kilometers).
“It is paramount for the army to be able to project its force up to that extent, in coordination, of course, with the Philippine navy and the Philippine air force," Galido said.