Russia accuses Ukraine of drone attack on gas tanker in Mediterranean PHOTO/VIDEO

Russia has accused Ukraine of carrying out a drone attack on a Russian gas tanker in the Mediterranean Sea, alleging that the assault was launched from Libyan territory.

According to Russia’s Ministry of Transport, the vessel — identified as the sanctioned Russian LNG carrier Arctic Metagaz — was targeted by unmanned boats while sailing off the coast of Malta. The ministry claimed the drones were launched from Libya. Video footage circulating online appears to show the tanker engulfed in flames, Caliber.Az reports via Russian media.

All 30 crew members, who are Russian citizens, were rescued after abandoning the ship, Russian officials said.

Ukraine has not commented on the accusations.

Earlier on March 3, Maltese authorities confirmed that the crew of the Arctic Metagaz had been located alive after leaving the vessel following a reported fire in the central Mediterranean.

In a statement, the Armed Forces of Malta (AFM) said its Rescue Coordination Centre (RCC Malta) was alerted earlier in the day to a distress situation involving the vessel while it was transiting waters outside Malta’s Search and Rescue Region.

“Upon receipt of the alert, RCC Malta initiated verification procedures and efforts to establish the exact position of the vessel,” the AFM said in the statement. “The vessel was located, and coordination actions were undertaken in line with international search and rescue obligations, including broadcasts to shipping and liaison with relevant international authorities.”

During the search effort, survivors were located in a lifeboat within the Libyan Search and Rescue Region. “All crew were reported safely onboard the lifeboat,” the AFM added.

By Sabina Mammadli