A Russian liquefied natural gas (LNG) tanker has sunk in the Mediterranean Sea between Libya and Malta after explosions and a fire onboard, according to Libyan port officials. The vessel was carrying about 62,000 tonnes of LNG and went down roughly 130 nautical miles north of the Libyan port city of Sirte.
Russia has accused Ukraine of targeting the tanker with uncrewed sea drones allegedly launched from the Libyan coast. Libyan authorities said the cause of the fire remains unclear, while Ukraine’s state security service declined to comment on the allegation. Unverified footage and images circulating online appear to show the vessel ablaze, but they have not been independently confirmed.
Thirty Russian crew members were onboard the tanker at the time of the incident. Malta’s home affairs minister said all were rescued safely after being found in a lifeboat during an operation carried out by the country’s armed forces.
Russian President Vladimir Putin described the incident as a terrorist attack, while Russia’s transport ministry labelled it an act of international terrorism and maritime piracy. The ministry accused the European Union of complicity but provided no evidence to support its claims.
The tanker had reportedly been sailing from the Russian port of Murmansk towards Port Said in Egypt and is believed to be part of Russia’s so-called shadow fleet — vessels used to transport oil and gas while bypassing international sanctions imposed following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Ukraine has previously targeted Russian vessels using naval drones, although most confirmed attacks have taken place in the Black Sea, making this Mediterranean incident unusual.
