Russian LNG tanker sinks off Libya after naval drone attack

Published March 4th, 2026 - 09:05 GMT
Russian LNG tanker
A LNG tanker ship makes its way past migrants attemping to cross the English channel on a smuggler's boat off the coast of Calais, north-western France, on October 23, 2024. (Photo by Sameer Al-Doumy / AFP)

ALBAWABA - A Russian LNG tanker sank near Libya following 'sudden explosions', Libyan authorities announced on Wednesday.

Russian media outlets reported that a Ukrainian naval drone attacked a Russian-flagged liquefied natural gas (LNG) carrier in the Mediterranean Sea, 

Russia’s Transportation Ministry said earlier that an LNG ship caught fire near Malta, according to The Moscow Times.

The ministry said the attack occurred yesterday near the territorial waters of Malta and targeted the LNG tanker Arctic Metagaz.

"The tanker was carrying a cargo documented in full compliance with international regulations from the port of Murmansk," the statement read.