Russia Blames Ukrainian Naval Drones After Russian LNG Tanker Explodes and Sinks in the Mediterranean
A Russian-flagged liquefied natural gas (LNG) tanker, the Arctic Metagaz, exploded and sank in the Mediterranean Sea off Libya, and Moscow has accused Ukraine of attacking it with naval drones — a claim Kyiv has not confirmed.
A Russian-flagged liquefied natural gas carrier, the Arctic Metagaz, exploded and sank in the Mediterranean Sea on March 3, 2026, after a series of blasts and a massive fire off the coast of Libya, authorities said. All 30 crew members — all Russian nationals — were safely rescued and transferred to another vessel headed for Benghazi.
Moscow’s transport ministry and Kremlin officials have accused Ukraine of striking the tanker with uncrewed naval drones launched from the Libyan coast, labeling the incident a “terrorist attack” and a violation of international maritime law. Ukraine has not publicly confirmed or commented on the accusation.
The vessel was carrying an estimated 61,000 tons of LNG from the Russian Arctic port of Murmansk and sank between Libya and Malta. Western sanctions have targeted the ship as part of Russia’s so-called “shadow fleet,” used to move energy exports around international restrictions. Libya’s maritime authority issued warnings to other ships to avoid the area and asked for reports of any pollution following the sinking.
The incident highlights rising maritime tensions tied to the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict and raises concerns about the use of drone warfare far from the Black Sea. Observers say such attacks, confirmed or not, could have broader implications for global energy security and shipping safety in the region.
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