Russian LNG Tanker Sinks in Mediterranean After Alleged Drone Attack

A Russian liquefied natural gas (LNG) tanker, the Arctic Metagaz, has sunk in the Mediterranean Sea between Libya and Malta following an explosion and fire. Russia has blamed Ukraine, alleging the use of naval drones, while Ukraine has not commented on the accusation. The incident raises concerns about maritime security and the potential for escalation in the region.

What Happened?

On March 4, 2026, Libyan port officials reported sudden explosions and a subsequent fire aboard the Arctic Metagaz. The tanker was approximately 130 nautical miles (240km) north of the Libyan port of Sirte when the incident occurred . The vessel, carrying around 62,000 tonnes of LNG, ultimately sank .

Russian Accusations

Russia has directly accused Ukraine of targeting the Arctic Metagaz with “uncrewed sea drones” launched from the Libyan coast . Russian President Vladimir Putin labeled the incident as a “terrorist attack” and stated it wasn’t the first such occurrence . Russia’s transport ministry characterized the event as “an act of international terrorism and maritime piracy,” also implicating the European Union .

Rescue Operation and Crew Safety

Despite the sinking, all 30 Russian crew members were safely rescued by Malta’s armed forces and found “safe and sound in a lifeboat” . They were transferred to another vessel bound for Benghazi, Libya .

Ukrainian Response and Previous Attacks

Ukraine’s SBU state security service has not yet commented on Russia’s allegations . However, Ukraine has previously used sea drones to target Russian vessels, notably in the Black Sea, as part of its defense against Russia’s invasion . In October 2025, Ukraine unveiled the “Sea Baby” drone, boasting a range of 1,500 kilometers and a 2,000 kilogram warhead capacity . Previous attacks have reportedly originated from the Libyan coast, though Kyiv has not publicly confirmed these reports .

Tanker Status and Location

As of March 12, 2026, the damaged tanker was drifting toward Malta, located approximately 37-38 nautical miles southeast of the island nation . Maltese authorities are preparing contingency plans, including surveillance flights and maritime warnings, as the vessel poses a safety risk to shipping routes and coastal waters . A 12-nautical-mile exclusion zone has been established around the vessel .

Sanctions and the Shadow Fleet

The Arctic Metagaz was reportedly under Western sanctions and is believed to be part of Russia’s “shadow fleet” of tankers used to bypass sanctions imposed due to the war in Ukraine .