The High Council of State (HCS) has warned of potentially severe consequences from a damaged Russian liquefied natural gas (LNG) tanker, “Arctic Metagaz,” off the country’s western coast. In a statement published on Tuesday, the council’s National Security Committee expressed “deep concern” over what it described as a lack of practical action to address the situation. It also called for immediate, concrete steps to contain the situation and prevent further escalation. The Arctic Metagaz was severely damaged earlier this month in the central Mediterranean after what Moscow described as a Ukrainian drone attack, although Kyiv has not commented on the claim. The vessel had been sailing from the Arctic port of Murmansk before its crew were evacuated, leaving it drifting unmanned for weeks between Malta and Libya.

Source: Libya Observer March 24, 2026 15:37 UTC