A Russian liquefied natural gas (LNG) tanker has sunk in the Mediterranean Sea after powerful explosions and a fire broke out onboard, raising fresh concerns about maritime security amid ongoing regional tensions.
According to Libyan port officials, the vessel, identified as the Arctic Metagaz, went down about 130 nautical miles north of the Libyan port city of Sirte. The tanker was reportedly carrying around 62,000 tonnes of LNG when the incident occurred.
Despite the dramatic situation, all 30 Russian crew members survived. Malta’s authorities confirmed that the sailors were rescued safely after being found in a lifeboat during an emergency operation carried out by the Maltese armed forces. Officials described the crew as “safe and sound,” preventing what could have been a major human tragedy.
The exact cause of the blasts and fire has not yet been confirmed. Libyan authorities stated that investigations are ongoing and that the origin of the fire remains unknown.
Russia, however, quickly accused Ukraine of carrying out the attack using uncrewed sea drones allegedly launched from the Libyan coast. Ukrainian security agencies have not responded publicly to the allegation, and no independent evidence has been presented to support the claim.
Unverified night-time videos circulating online appear to show the tanker engulfed in flames before it sank. Images shared by a Ukrainian blogger also suggested severe damage to the ship’s engine room, though these visuals have not been independently confirmed.
Russian President Vladimir Putin described the incident as a “terrorist attack,” while Moscow’s transport ministry labeled it an act of international terrorism and maritime piracy. Russian officials also suggested that Western countries were indirectly responsible, though no proof was provided.
The tanker had departed from Murmansk in northern Russia and was heading toward Port Said in Egypt. The vessel was part of Russia’s so-called “shadow fleet,” a network of ships used to transport oil and gas while attempting to bypass international sanctions imposed after the Ukraine war began in 2022.
Marine tracking data shows the tanker was sailing near Malta shortly before the incident. Experts suspect its automatic identification system may have been switched off before the explosions occurred, a practice sometimes linked to sanctioned vessels.
While Ukraine has previously targeted Russian ships using naval drones, most attacks have taken place in the Black Sea. If confirmed, this would mark a rare incident in the Mediterranean region.
The sinking highlights increasing risks to global energy routes and commercial shipping as geopolitical tensions continue to expand beyond traditional conflict zones. Authorities from several countries are now monitoring the situation closely as investigations continue.