Sanctioned Russian LNG Tanker Arctic Metagaz Burns After Reported Drone Attack
Mar 4th 2026
A Russian-flagged LNG carrier under international sanctions caught fire on March 3 in the Mediterranean after a reported drone attack; the crew were rescued and investigations point to a kinetic strike amid efforts to mask the vessel's movements.
- Arctic Metagaz erupted in flames on March 3 after reported explosions while transiting between Malta and Libya.
- All 30 Russian crew abandoned ship and were rescued from a lifeboat in the Libyan search and rescue zone.
- Tracking data shows the vessel disabled its AIS after leaving Malta's economic zone, suggesting deliberate masking of movement.
- The tanker is part of Russia's shadow fleet and is linked to transporting LNG from the sanctioned Arctic LNG-2 project to China.
- Ukrainian sources and open source analysts report a hull breach near the engine room consistent with a kinetic strike, while Russia's transport ministry blamed Ukrainian uncrewed surface vessels.
- The ship is under sanctions by the United States, the United Kingdom, the European Union, Switzerland, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.