️ A Russian tanker carrying liquefied natural gas (LNG) has sunk in the Mediterranean Sea between Libya and Malta, with Moscow accusing Ukraine of attacking the vessel. The Libyan port authority reported that the tanker was hit by "sudden explosions followed by a massive fire, which ultimately led to its complete sinking" on Tuesday night north of the port of Sirte, Libya.

️ Russian President Vladimir Putin accused Ukraine of attacking the gas carrier, stating, "This is a terrorist attack. This isn’t the first time we’ve seen this kind of thing." Russia’s Transport Ministry claimed that the Arctic Metagaz, which had been transporting LNG from the Arctic port of Murmansk, was attacked by Ukrainian naval drones launched from the coast of Libya. It noted that all 30 crew members, Russian nationals, were safe and thanked Maltese rescue services, while qualifying the incident as "an act of international terrorism and maritime piracy."

️ According to an advisory from Libya’s maritime rescue agency, the Arctic Metagaz sank in waters between Libya and Malta after catching fire. The agency warned vessels to avoid the site and report any pollution. The Libyan port authority said the ship was carrying an estimated 62,000 metric tons of LNG en route to Port Said, Egypt, but Egypt’s Petroleum Ministry denied any connection, stating the tanker was not listed under contracts to supply or receive LNG cargoes to Egypt.

️ The Arctic Metagaz had been sanctioned by the United States and the European Union as part of Russia’s fleet of ageing tankers that carry oil and gas exports worldwide, skirting Western restrictions. Ukraine has frequently targeted Russian oil refineries and other energy infrastructure in an attempt to deprive Russia’s war machine of funding. In December, Ukraine claimed it had hit a Russian tanker with aerial drones in the neutral waters of the Mediterranean Sea, marking the first such strike in the over four-year conflict.

Source: www.aljazeera.com