Peskov says ministry response to tanker fire needed no Putin orders
In short
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Russia's Transport Ministry responded quickly to a tanker fire in the Black Sea, making additional orders from President Vladimir Putin unnecessary. Russian outlets reported that all 23 Indian crew members were rescued and the vessel was being towed.
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Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on October 8 that President Vladimir Putin had not needed to issue instructions over a tanker fire in the Black Sea because Russia's Transport Ministry had responded quickly. Peskov was answering a question about whether the president had given orders in connection with the fire, Interfax reported. [ 7 ]
Peskov said Transport Minister Andrei Nikitin (Андрей Никитин) had convened an operational headquarters several times and that the necessary personnel and equipment had been brought in. He described the measures as prompt and effective and said the tanker was being towed onward. Kommersant also reported his statement that environmental consequences had been avoided. [ 6 , 7 ]
The Aframax Rio (Афрамакс Рио), carrying oil under the Liberian flag, came under attack by unmanned boats in the Black Sea on October 6, Vedomosti reported, citing Russia's Transport Ministry. Kommersant placed the attack off the coast of Sochi and said the tanker caught fire after the attack. [ 5 , 6 ]
Vedomosti reported that a fire broke out aboard the vessel after the attack and that oil was also burning on the water. All 23 members of the crew were Indian citizens and were rescued, the report said. According to preliminary information cited in the article, there were no injuries. [ 5 ]
Open burning on the tanker was extinguished the following day, Vedomosti reported. RIA Novosti also reported that the flames had been put out and cited the Transport Ministry on the rescue of the entire crew. Its account carried Peskov's statement that all measures to deal with the situation had been taken. [ 2 , 5 ]
Why it matters
The tanker fire followed an attack by unmanned boats, according to Russia's Transport Ministry as reported by Vedomosti. Peskov said environmental consequences had been avoided, while preliminary ministry information reported no injuries among the rescued crew.
Key facts
- Peskov said the Transport Ministry's rapid response made presidential instructions unnecessary. [ 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 ]
- Transport Minister Andrei Nikitin (Андрей Никитин) convened the operational headquarters several times, Peskov said. [ 5 , 7 ]
- Vedomosti reported that the Liberia-flagged Aframax Rio (Афрамакс Рио) was attacked on October 6 while carrying oil. [ 5 ]
- The Transport Ministry said all 23 crew members, Indian citizens, were rescued. [ 2 , 5 ]
- Peskov said the tanker was being towed onward. [ 2 , 6 , 7 ]
Confirmed by several sources
Still unclear
- Peskov said environmental consequences had been avoided. Kommersant reports this claim; the provided documents do not include an independent environmental assessment.