MOSCOW (AP) — Two Russian oil tankers have been seriously damaged following a storm in the Kerch Strait, spilling oil and sparking an emergency rescue operation, Russian officials told state news outlets Sunday.
Some reports said at least one of the vessels later sank.
The Volgoneft-212 tanker, which was carrying a crew of 13 and a cargo of fuel oil, ran aground and had its bow torn away, the Tass news agency reported, citing the country’s Emergency Situations Ministry. Officials said that one crew member died, but that a rescue operation was able to evacuate the remaining sailors.
A second tanker, the Volgoneft-239, was also damaged and was adrift with 14 crewmembers on board. It later ran aground 80 meters from shore close to the port of Taman in Russia's Krasnodar region, where a rescue operation is being planned, the Emergency Situations Ministry said.
Together, the two ships were carrying almost 9,000 tons of mazut, a heavy, low-grade fuel oil, Tass reported. Social media footage from the scene showed a black slick of liquid among the waves.
Russian officials confirmed the oil spill, but said that experts were still working to assess its full impact and extent.
The Kerch Strait separates the Russian-occupied Crimean Peninsula from Russia and is an important global shipping route, providing passage from the Sea of Azov to the Black Sea.
It has also been a key point of conflict between Russia and Ukraine after Moscow annexed the peninsula from Ukraine in 2014. In 2016, Ukraine took Moscow to the Permanent Court of Arbitration, where it accused Russia of trying to illegally seize control of the area. In 2021, Russia closed the strait for several months.
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)
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) — Joe Milton III passed for a touchdown and ran for another in his NFL debut, and the New England Patriots cost themselves the No. 1 overall pick in the NFL draft with a 23-16 win over the AFC East champion Buffalo Bills on Sunday.
The Patriots (4-13) snapped a six-game skid when a loss would have guaranteed them the top draft pick. Instead, they fell to No. 4 behind Tennessee, Cleveland and the New York Giants.
Milton finished 22 of 29 for 241 yards in relief of rookie Drake Maye, who played only one series. Kayshon Boutte had seven catches for 117 yards and TD, and Joey Slye kicked three field goals.
With coach Jerod Mayo’s future in question, he ended up playing some starters and resting others.
Mayo took a preseason-style approach with franchise quarterback Maye. New England also had four healthy scratches and rested other key players, including running back Rhamondre Stevenson. Tight end Hunter Henry was inactive with a foot issue.
Mitchell Trubisky was 15 of 21 for 101 yards for the Bills (13-4), who had already wrapped up the No. 2 seed in the AFC playoffs and rested most of their starters.
Quarterback and MVP candidate Josh Allen played one snap, handing off to James Cook to extend streak of consecutive starts to 115 games, including the playoffs. Trubisky played until late in the third quarter, when he was replaced by Mike White.
Cook rushed for his 16th TD of the season to tie O.J. Simpson's Bills franchise record.
The Patriots extended their lead to 23-16 with 1:55 left in the fourth quarter on a 50-yard field goal by Slye. The Bills then turned it over on downs when White’s pass fell incomplete.
Patriots: S Marte Mapu left in the first quarter with a neck injury and was ruled out in the second half. WR Kayshon Boutte left in the fourth quarter with a head injury.
Trubisky’s 2-yard touchdown pass to Ray Davis in the first quarter was the Bills' 30th passing TD, making them the first team in NFL history with 30 or more TDs through the air and on the ground in a season.
Milton’s teammates have lauded the rookie’s athletic ability, though he hadn’t gotten to showcase it beyond the preseason and in closed sessions as a member of the Patriots’ practice squad.
That changed Sunday.
Taking over for Maye to begin New England’s second series, Milton had passes of 12 and 11 yards to get the Patriots near the goal line. He then capped the 13-play, 55-yard drive with a 1-yard run and celebrated his first career NFL TD with a backflip.
He added a 48-yard TD pass to Kayshon Boutte in the second quarter that put New England in front 14-7.
Bills veteran linebacker Von Miller earned a $1.5 million bonus with his sixth sack of the season, taking down Maye on the third play of the game.
Bills punter Sam Martin also cashed in a $100,000 bonus in the third quarter for his 25th punt inside an opponent’s 20-yard line. Cornerback Ja’Marcus Ingram kept Martin’s 29-yard punt from rolling into the end zone and it was downed on the 6.
The Bills passed up a 53-yard field goal attempt for the punt.
Bills: Host the AFC's No. 7 seed next weekend.
Patriots: An offseason of big decisions awaits.
AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl
New England Patriots wide receiver Kayshon Boutte (9) is congratulated by Patriots quarterback Joe Milton III (19) after his touchdown agains the Buffalo Billsduring the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Jan. 5, 2025, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
Buffalo Bills wide receiver Mack Hollins, right, tries to break free from New England Patriots cornerback Marcellas Dial Jr. (27) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Jan. 5, 2025, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye (10) is pressured by Buffalo Bills linebacker Von Miller (40) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Jan. 5, 2025, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty)
Buffalo Bills running back Ray Davis (22) beats New England Patriots defenders and drops into the end zone for a touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Jan. 5, 2025, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty)
Buffalo Bills quarterback Mitchell Trubisky (11) throws a pass while pressured by New England Patriots linebacker Anfernee Jennings (33) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Jan. 5, 2025, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty)
Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) smiles while coming out of the game during the first half of an NFL football game against the New England Patriots, Sunday, Jan. 5, 2025, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) hands off to running back James Cook (4) during the first half of an NFL football game against the New England Patriots, Sunday, Jan. 5, 2025, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty)
New England Patriots head coach Jerod Mayo walks on the field prior to an NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills, Sunday, Jan. 5, 2025, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty)
Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) waves to fans prior to an NFL football game against the New England Patriots, Sunday, Jan. 5, 2025, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
New England Patriots quarterback Joe Milton III (19) flips while celebrating after his touchdown against the Buffalo Bills during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Jan. 5, 2025, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
