Russia blames Ukraine after sanctioned LNG carrier Arctic Metagaz is wrecked off Libya

The Russian LNG carrier Arctic Metagaz was hit by explosions and fire in the Mediterranean between Libya and Malta, north of the Libyan port of Sirte, Al Jazeera reported. Libya's port authority said the blaze led to the ship sinking; all 30 Russian crew were reported safe. The vessel was carrying about 62,000 tonnes of LNG from Murmansk to Port Said, Egypt. Russia's Transport Ministry alleged that Ukrainian naval drones launched from the Libyan coast carried out the attack, and President Vladimir Putin called it "a terrorist attack". Kyiv did not immediately comment. Al Jazeera noted the ship is sanctioned by the US and EU as part of Russia's shadow fleet.

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