Russian LNG Tanker Sinks in Mediterranean Amid Shadow Fleet and Sanctions Evasion Allegations

In a stark reminder of the tangled global stakes tied to the Russia-Ukraine conflict, a Russian-flagged liquefied natural gas (LNG) tanker exploded and sank off the coast of Libya last week. The vessel, Arctic Metagaz, reportedly suffered “sudden explosions” followed by a massive fire before going down about 150 miles from Sirte, Libya.According to Libyan authorities, all 30 crew members were rescued and transported safely, but the implications of this sinking stretch far beyond maritime safety. Moscow quickly accused Ukraine of launching sea drones from Libyan shores to conduct the attack—a tactic Ukraine has routinely employed as part of its...