It has been described as an ‘imminent threat’ by several European countries, including France and Italy, which have highlighted the ‘disastrous’ ecological implications.
As of today, March 17 (Tuesday), the 900ft Arctic Metagaz is just southwest of the island, drifting without crew towards the archipelago.
Italy has made clear that it does not want the tanker to dock at one of its ports, describing it as a “ticking time bomb filled with gas,” to CNN.
In a letter to the European Commission, the nations stated that “the precarious condition of the vessel, combined with the nature of its specialised cargo, gives rise to an imminent and serious risk of a major ecological disaster in the heart of the Union’s maritime space,” the letter said, as seen by Reuters.
🚨Ukraine sea drones hits Russian gas tanker – it’s on fire near Malta! 🇲🇹
A big Russian ship called Arctic Metagaz is burning in the Mediterranean Sea, south-east of Malta.
It happened early this morning around 4am. People say explosions came first, then huge flames.
The… pic.twitter.com/RvwaP1NBKm
— Gauci Reports (@GauciReports) March 3, 2026
These countries have characterised the situation as a “dual challenge” – maintaining maritime safety and averting an ecological disaster in the context of EU sanctions.
It comes amid the ongoing Ukraine-Russia war.
Today, Sir Keir Starmer said “the focus must remain on Ukraine” despite the Iran war, as he met President Volodymyr Zelensky in Downing Street.
“Putin can’t be the one who benefits from a conflict in Iran, whether that’s oil prices or the dropping of sanctions.”
According to Russia, the attack occurred on 4 March and was launched from the Libyan coast. The vessel had previously been sanctioned by the United States and the European Union for being part of Moscow’s so-called “shadow fleet.”
The Security Service of Ukraine has yet to respond to the claim.
Comprised mainly of elderly tankers, the fleet transports Russian oil and gas globally whilst circumventing Western sanctions.
Authorities in Malta and Italy have been carefully tracking the wreck amid fears about possible pollution.
What was the Russian tanker carrying?
The vessel was carrying “significant quantities of gas, heavy oil, and diesel fuel,” according to Italian sources.
WWF Italy cautioned in a statement: “A potential spill could cause fires, cryogenic clouds lethal to marine life, and widespread and long-lasting pollution of water and the atmosphere.”
It continued: “The affected area is of exceptional ecological value, with fragile deep-sea ecosystems and some of the highest biodiversity in the Mediterranean basin.”
Zelensky describes Russia and Iran as “brothers in hatred”
In a speech in Parliament, Zelensky described the regimes in Russia and Iran as “brothers in hatred”.
Addressing around 60 MPs and peers in a Westminster committee room, he highlighted how Tehran was selling Shahed ‘kamikaze’ drones to Moscow, which had been used in Ukraine.
During their meeting, the leaders agreed on a new defence partnership aimed at tackling cheap attack drones.