Russia Says Ukraine Sank LNG Carrier Off Libya

Russia on Wednesday accused Ukraine of targeting a liquefied natural gas carrier off the Libyan coast, causing the vessel to sink.

The Libyan port authority said the Arctic Metagaz tanker sank after explosions north of the port of Sirte.

The authority added that the tanker experienced “ sudden explosions followed by a massive fire, which ultimately led to its complete sinking” on Tuesday night.

Russia Blames Ukraine for Gas Tanker Explosions off Libya. Credit: CBC.

Officials noted that the wreck occurred in the maritime area between Libya and Malta, within Libya’s search-and-rescue zone, approximately 130 nautical miles (240 kilometres) north of Sirte.

Moscow blamed Kyiv for the incident, with the Russian transport ministry claiming that the attack on it was launched from the Libyan coast by Ukrainian naval drones.

“The attack on it was launched from the Libyan coast by Ukrainian naval drones,” the Russian transport ministry said.

The ministry also said the tanker had been loaded and was en route from the northern Russian port of Murmansk.

Authorities in Malta and Russia confirmed that all 30 crew members on board were rescued.