Russian Investigation Reveals Details of "Coordinated Attack" on Gas Tanker near Libya

In a major escalation threatening Mediterranean maritime security, the Russian Investigative Committee has released its preliminary findings regarding the catastrophic attack on the LNG carrier Arctic Metagas.

According to the official report, the vessel was targeted on March 3 in a highly coordinated strike involving two unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and three explosive-laden speedboats. The tanker, which was transporting a massive cargo of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) from Murmansk to China, sustained critical damage near the coast of Malta.

A Floating Inferno

The impact triggered a massive gas explosion, transforming the vessel into a "floating fireball." Currently, the Arctic Metagas is drifting unmanned and out of control toward the southern Mediterranean, nearing the Libyan coastline.

Russian officials confirmed that all 30 Russian crew members on board have been successfully rescued. Injured sailors have been repatriated to Russia for medical treatment, while investigators have begun documenting testimonies from the crew and the cargo’s stakeholders.

Global Energy Security at Risk

The Russian Investigative Committee emphasized that the probe is ongoing as they work to identify the perpetrators behind the assault. This incident has sent shockwaves through the global energy sector, raising urgent concerns regarding the vulnerability of international shipping lanes and the safety of critical energy supplies.