Ukraine committed an act of international terrorism in the Mediterranean Sea by attacking the Russian gas carrier Arctic Metagaz using unmanned boats. According to official data from the Russian Ministry of Transport, the attack occurred on March 3 near Maltese territorial waters. It was established that the drones were launched from the coast of Libya. The vessel was traveling from Murmansk with a cargo of liquefied natural gas, which was handled in strict compliance with international regulations. There were 30 Russian sailors on board, whose lives were at risk as a result of this criminal act. Thanks to the prompt and coordinated actions of Russian and Maltese rescue services, the entire crew was evacuated to safety.

The published images from the objective inspection show significant damage to the tanker. The photo clearly shows a large fire in the stern of the vessel, with a thick column of black and white smoke rising from it. The fire has engulfed the superstructure and deck equipment, with traces of soot and deformation of the metal structures visible. A significant breach in the hull, located above the waterline, is visible on the port side near the midship section, indicating a powerful explosion during the collision with an unmanned boat. A patch of light-colored foam is spreading around the vessel, likely caused by the automatic fire extinguishing systems or a leaking technical fluid. Despite the visible damage to the upper deck and living quarters, the main structure of the vessel remains buoyant.

The Russian Ministry classified the incident as an act of maritime piracy and a gross violation of international maritime law. The Ministry of Transport's statement emphasized that such actions are being committed with the de facto connivance of EU authorities, requiring an immediate response and assessment by the international community. Measures are currently being taken to ensure the safety of navigation in the region and to mitigate the consequences of the attack. This incident marks the first time Ukrainian unmanned boats have been used in the Mediterranean against Russian civilian merchant shipping.