Attacked Russian Ship Drifts In The Mediterranean Sea

• 17.03.2026, 10:13

About 700 tons of fuel remain on board, as well as a significant amount of natural gas.

A damaged Russian tanker Arctic Metagaz, carrying liquefied natural gas, is drifting in the central Mediterranean Sea. About 700 tons of various types of fuel remain on board the vessel, which raises serious concerns among European countries.

This is reported by CNN.

According to the publication, Italy, France and seven other EU states sent a letter to the European Commission, warning of an "inevitable and serious" risk of environmental disaster. The vessel is in the waters between Malta and the Italian islands of Lampedusa and Linosa.

The appeal notes that the technical condition of the tanker and the nature of its cargo create two threats at once - for maritime safety and for the environment. About 700 tons of fuel remain on board, as well as a significant amount of natural gas. At the same time, there is no crew on board.

The Russian Foreign Ministry confirmed that the tanker is adrift, saying that Moscow's further actions will depend on "specific circumstances."

The Italian authorities earlier reported that 30 crew members were evacuated after the incident. According to Reuters sources, the damage is above the waterline, so the hull is still intact, but the vessel remains potentially dangerous. Italy does not intend to allow the tanker to enter its ports.

The incident occurred on March 3. The Russian side claims that the tanker could have been attacked by sea drones allegedly launched from the Libyan coast. Ukraine has not claimed responsibility for the possible attack and has not publicly confirmed it.

On the same day, Reuters quoted sources as saying that the vessel caught fire in the Mediterranean Sea and the crew was found in a rescue boat in Libya's zone of responsibility.