Damaged Russian tanker drifts toward Libya, risking Mediterranean spill
Mar 23rd 2026 ยท Russian Federation
A Russian gas tanker reportedly attacked near Malta lost tracking and is drifting toward the Libyan coast after its crew was evacuated, prompting rescue and salvage plans and warnings of a major environmental hazard. Libya's oil authority and Italy's Eni moved to tow the wreck while EU states pressed for civil protection measures.
- Russian Transport Ministry says the tanker Arctic Metagaz was attacked by Ukrainian drones, caught fire and its tracking system stopped working.
- Russian authorities report all 30 crew members were evacuated from the vessel.
- The ministry says the ship carries 450 tons of heavy fuel, 250 tons of diesel and significant quantities of gas, while Greenpeace has warned estimates of gas aboard could exceed 60,000 tons.
- Libya's National Oil Corporation and Italy's Eni announced plans to tow the unmanned tanker to a Libyan port, and Italy warned towing will be complex because of a large breach along the hull.
- Leaders of Malta, Italy, Spain, Greece and Cyprus asked the European Commission to trigger EU civil protection over the risk of a major pollution event.
- Legal and security experts say confirmation that Ukraine carried out the strike would raise law of war questions, and analysts warn the incident highlights risks from a shadow fleet, sanctions evasion and rising attacks on merchant shipping.