A Russian tanker carrying liquefied natural gas in the Mediterranean Sea was attacked before sinking. Moscow says Kiev used underwater drones in the attack. 

The Arctic Metagaz was hit on Tuesday, causing a fire to break out. The Russian state media outlet TASS reported that all 30 crew members on board are safe. The Russian Transport Ministry claimed Ukraine was responsible for the attack. 

“On March 3, a Russian vessel — the gas carrier Arctic Metagaz — was attacked in close proximity to the territorial waters of the European Union member state of Malta,” the statement explained. “The tanker was carrying cargo documented in full compliance with all international regulations and was en route from the port of Murmansk.”

The ministry said the attack was a grave violation of the norms of maritime law. “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 statement continued, “Such criminal actions, carried out with the connivance of the authorities of European Union member states, must not remain without assessment by the international community.”    

Kiev has not responded to Moscow’s accusations. 

The war in Ukraine has escalated to attacks on energy targets. Russian missiles and drones have shut down electric grids in Ukraine. Kiev has targeted Russian refineries and pipelines. Some European investigators have accused Ukrainians of attacking the Nord Stream pipelines. 

The attacks on Russian pipelines bringing oil into Eastern Europe have angered some EU and NATO states. Last month, Hungary and Slovakia cut energy exports to Ukraine because Kiev’s attacks have disrupted the flow of oil to those countries.