Putin Says Ukrainian ‘Terrorist Attack’ Caused Tanker to Sink Off Malta
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Russian President Vladimir Putin accused Ukraine of carrying out what he described as a “terrorist attack” after a Russian liquefied natural gas (LNG) carrier sank in the Mediterranean Sea near Malta. The incident, which took place earlier this week, involved the Arctic Metagaz, a tanker reportedly transporting LNG from the Arctic port of Murmansk.
According to Russia’s Transport Ministry, the vessel caught fire following what it claimed was an attack by Ukrainian naval drones launched from the Libyan coast. Russian authorities described the incident as an act of “international terrorism and maritime piracy”, arguing that it constituted a serious breach of international maritime law. At the time of the attack, the ship was reportedly carrying about 62,000 metric tonnes of liquefied natural gas destined for Port Said in Egypt.
The ministry confirmed that the tanker later sank in waters between Libya and Malta on Tuesday night. All 30 crew members on board, who were Russian nationals, were reported safe. Russian authorities expressed gratitude to Maltese rescue services for their assistance during the emergency response.
Ukraine did not immediately comment on the accusations. Kyiv has repeatedly targeted Russian energy infrastructure since the start of the war, arguing that such strikes are aimed at reducing the financial resources that support Russia’s military operations.
Maritime authorities in Libya issued a navigation advisory warning vessels to avoid the area where the tanker sank and urged ships to report any signs of pollution. The Libyan port authority confirmed the vessel had been transporting LNG at the time of the incident.
The Arctic Metagaz had previously been sanctioned by both the United States and the European Union as part of Russia’s so-called “shadow fleet” used to transport energy exports while circumventing Western restrictions imposed following the invasion of Ukraine.
Egypt’s Petroleum Ministry later denied any connection with the tanker, stating that the vessel was not listed under any contracts supplying LNG to the country.
