The Russian Foreign Ministry has strongly condemned a drone attack on the LNG carrier Arctic Metagaz, which occurred in the Mediterranean Sea. Spokesperson Maria Zakharova described the incident as a serious breach of international law, warning of potentially severe repercussions.

The attack took place on March 3 at 04:25 a.m. local time, targeting the vessel while it was operating in neutral waters approximately 168 nautical miles southeast of Malta. At the time, the Arctic Metagaz was transporting 100,000 cubic meters of liquefied natural gas with a crew consisting of 30 Russian sailors on board.

Impact of the Attack

The drone strike resulted in a loss of propulsion and electrical power on the Arctic Metagaz, leading to a fire and gas explosion onboard. Despite facing the critical situation, the crew exhibited notable bravery and composure, managing to evacuate the ship via lifeboat. Their coordinated efforts ensured that there were no reported casualties among the crew.

Rescue Operations

A rapid search-and-rescue operation was initiated by nearby ships, including those with Russian crews. One such vessel was able to locate the lifeboat carrying the crew. By 8:30 p.m. that same day, a tanker successfully rescued all crew members. Zakharova noted that during the rescue efforts, misleading reports circulated in Western media, falsely stating that the vessel had caught fire on its own and subsequently sank.

Injuries and Medical Assistance

Two crew members sustained serious burns during the incident, necessitating their prompt evacuation. Zakharova alleged that Malta’s maritime authorities did not extend assistance for this evacuation. In the absence of European aid, the maritime rescue service of Libya intervened to provide medical help. The injured seamen were transported to a hospital in Benghazi, where they received treatment.

Return of Injured Crew Members

After four days of medical care and coordination with the Russian Embassy in Libya, the injured sailors were flown back to Russia on March 10 via a special flight and admitted to a hospital for further treatment. Zakharova emphasized that the nature of the drone attack leaves no doubt regarding its legality, categorizing the incident as a deliberate assault on a civilian target that could have led to significant loss of life and environmental harm.

Concerns Over International Response

Zakharova expressed disappointment at the lack of response from the international community, noting that the attack occurred near the territorial waters of an EU member state. She pointed out that no European nation has condemned the assault thus far, reflecting what Moscow perceives as a worrying silence on the part of European countries regarding this egregious act.

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