Russia accuses Ukraine of drone attack as gas tanker sinks in Mediterranean

"Russian President Vladimir Putin accused Ukraine of attacking the gas carrier. This is a terrorist attack. This isn't the first time we've seen this kind of thing, Russia's Putin told a reporter from Russian state television on Wednesday, accusing Kyiv of responsibility."

"Russia's Transport Ministry said that the Arctic Metagaz, which had been carrying LNG from the Arctic port of Murmansk, was attacked by Ukrainian naval drones launched from the coast of Libya. It said the 30 crew members, all Russian nationals, were safe, and thanked Maltese rescue services."

"We qualify what happened as an act of international terrorism and maritime piracy, a gross violation of the fundamental norms of international maritime law, the ministry said."

The Arctic Metagaz, a Russian liquefied natural gas tanker carrying 62,000 metric tons of LNG from Murmansk to Port Said, sank in the Mediterranean between Libya and Malta after experiencing sudden explosions and a massive fire on Tuesday night. Russian President Putin accused Ukraine of conducting a terrorist attack using naval drones launched from Libya's coast. Russia's Transport Ministry characterized the incident as international terrorism and maritime piracy, violating international maritime law. All 30 Russian crew members were reported safe. Libya's maritime rescue agency warned vessels to avoid the site and monitor for pollution. Egypt's Petroleum Ministry denied any connection to the vessel. The tanker had been sanctioned by the United States and European Union as part of Russia's aging tanker fleet.

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