Russian LNG Tanker Sinks in Mediterranean

A Russian liquefied natural gas (LNG) tanker, Arctic Metagaz, sank in the Mediterranean Sea between Libya and Malta after experiencing explosions and a massive fire. Russia accused Ukraine of launching naval drones from the Libyan coast to attack the tanker, calling it an 'act of international terrorism and maritime piracy.' Ukraine's Security Service has not commented on the accusation. The Arctic Metagaz, part of Russia's 'shadow fleet' and under Western sanctions, was carrying 61,000-62,000 metric tons of LNG from Murmansk to Port Said, Egypt. All 30 Russian crew members were rescued by Maltese and Russian rescue services. This incident marks a potential expansion of Ukraine's targeting of Russian energy infrastructure beyond the Black Sea, raising concerns about maritime security and the effectiveness of sanctions evasion by Russia.