Russian LNG Tanker Sinks in Mediterranean After Suspected Drone Attack

A Russian-flagged liquefied natural gas (LNG) carrier, the Arctic Metagaz, sank in the Mediterranean Sea on Wednesday, March 3, 2026, after experiencing explosions and a subsequent fire. All 30 crew members were safely rescued, according to reports.

Incident Details

Libyan port officials reported that the Arctic Metagaz encountered “sudden explosions” approximately 240 kilometers (150 miles) north of the Libyan city of Sirte on Tuesday night. The blasts ignited a fire that ultimately led to the vessel’s sinking between Libya and Malta .

Russia’s Accusations

Russia has blamed Ukraine for the attack, alleging the use of naval drones launched from the Libyan coast. Moscow’s transport ministry characterized the incident as “an act of international terrorism and maritime piracy,” specifically attributing the attack to Ukrainian unmanned vessels . Kyiv has not yet issued a comment on the accusations.

Cargo and Crew

The Arctic Metagaz was carrying approximately 62,000 metric tonnes of liquefied natural gas at the time of the incident . The entire crew of 30 Russian nationals was evacuated safely and transferred to a vessel heading towards Benghazi, Libya .

Vessel’s Journey and Sanctions Status

The tanker had departed from Murmansk, Russia, and was en route to Port Said, Egypt . The vessel reportedly disabled its Automatic Identification System (AIS) upon exiting Malta’s exclusive economic zone on the evening of March 2, suggesting a deliberate attempt to conceal its movements . The Arctic Metagaz is believed to be operating under Western sanctions and is part of Russia’s “shadow fleet” – a network of tankers accused of circumventing international restrictions imposed after the invasion of Ukraine .

Rising Maritime Tensions

This incident adds to growing maritime tensions linked to the ongoing war in Ukraine and underscores the vulnerability of commercial shipping routes in the Mediterranean region.