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Grounded Russian Tanker Off Oman Now Sunken As Oil Slick Expands

A Russian oil tanker that ran aground off Oman's coast has sunk and is now the source of a growing oil slick, CBS News reported Friday, August 14, 2026.[1]

Satellite images reviewed by CBS show the slick expanding around the wreck compared with earlier imagery.[1] The vessel was carrying millions of gallons of oil when it was damaged in an unexplained explosion, fueling fears the spill could widen.[2]

In early June 2026, the tanker was damaged by an unexplained explosion while loaded with millions of gallons of oil, according to CBS reporting.[2] The ship later ran aground off Oman before finally sinking, leaving the wreck as the source of the spreading slick.[1]

Earlier coverage described the vessel as grounded and leaking; new satellite imagery now shows it sunken and the oil slick larger than in prior images.[2]

  1. CBS News
  2. CBS News
Oil Spills and Maritime Safety Global Energy and Shipping International Environment Maritime Incidents Energy and Shipping
Show source details & analysis (2 sources)

📌 Key Facts

  • As of Friday, August 14, 2026, CBS News reports the Russian tanker off Oman has sunk; it had been grounded earlier.
  • Satellite images reviewed in the August 14 CBS report show a growing oil slick around the sunken tanker compared with earlier imagery.
  • The vessel was damaged by an unexplained explosion in early June 2026, according to CBS News.
  • The wreck lies off the coast of Oman, where the sunken Russian tanker off Oman coast is now the source of the spreading slick.
  • The ship was carrying millions of gallons of oil when it was damaged, raising concerns about the expanding spill.

📰 Source Timeline (2)

Follow how coverage of this story developed over time

August 14, 2026
8:45 PM
Satellite images of sunken Russian tanker off Oman coast show growing oil slick
CBS News
New information:
  • As of Friday, August 14, 2026, CBS reports the Russian tanker off Oman has sunk, no longer just grounded.
  • Satellite images reviewed in the August 14 CBS report show a growing oil slick around the sunken tanker compared with earlier imagery.
  • CBS reiterates the ship was damaged by an unexplained explosion in early June 2026 while carrying millions of gallons of oil.