Russian authorities blame ukrainian sea drones for sinking liquefied natural gas tanker in the mediterranean

A Russian LNG tanker sinks in the Mediterranean following a suspected Ukrainian sea drone attack. All 30 crew members were rescued after the vessel exploded.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 4, 2026, 2:33 PM EST

Source: The information in this article was sourced from The Washington Times

Explosion and Sinking off the Libyan Coast

The Arctic Metagaz, a Russian flagged tanker carrying 61,000 tons of liquefied natural gas, erupted in flames and completely sank in the Mediterranean Sea between Libya and Malta. According to the Libyan Maritime Authority, the vessel experienced sudden explosions followed by a massive fire while positioned approximately 240 kilometers off the coast of Sirte. All thirty crew members were successfully rescued from the water and transferred to a separate vessel bound for Benghazi, though the tanker and its cargo were a total loss.

Accusations of Ukrainian Drone Involvement

The Russian Transport Ministry has officially attributed the sinking to an attack by Ukrainian sea drones, alleging the craft were launched from the Libyan coastline. While Ukrainian officials have not issued a public comment regarding this specific incident, the accusation follows a pattern of maritime operations attributed to Kyiv. Previous reports have suggested that Ukrainian assets have operated from North African shores to target Russian shipping, though these claims remain unconfirmed by the Ukrainian military.

Advancements in Maritime Drone Technology

The suspected use of sea drones in the Mediterranean underscores the expanding range of Ukraine's maritime capabilities four years into the conflict. In October 2025, Ukraine’s state security service unveiled an upgraded version of the Sea Baby drone, which reportedly features a range of 1,500 kilometers and the capacity to carry a 2,000 kilogram warhead. Such technological advancements have previously allowed Ukrainian forces to target and sink Russian vessels within the Black Sea, significantly altering the naval dynamics of the region.