Ian
Jedi Master
Slovakia stops electricity supplies to Ukraine @worldpravda
Putin Recognizes Donbass Republics, Launches 'SMO' to 'Denazify' Ukraine
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Slovakia stops electricity supplies to Ukraine @worldpravda
A suspected Ukrainian assault has hit a Russian LNG gas carrier, the Arctic Metagaz, near Malta's territorial waters. I'll bet Britain, along with the Pentagon and possibly France, was involved in this act of terrorism against Russia, but that's obviously just my speculation.
gcaptain.com
March 3, 2026
Update:
gcaptain.com
March 4, 2026
tass.com
MOSCOW, March 4. /TASS/. A Russian gas carrier was attacked in the Mediterranean Sea, the Russian Transport Ministry reported.
TASS has gathered the key facts about the incident.
- The incident occurred in close proximity to the territorial waters of the European Union member state of Malta.
- According to the Transport Ministry, the tanker was en route from the port of Murmansk carrying cargo documented in full compliance with international regulations.
- The attack was carried out from the Libyan coast using Ukrainian unmanned boats, the ministry said.
- The ministry called the incident a gross violation of the fundamental norms of international maritime law.
- Such actions, carried out with the connivance of the authorities of EU member states, must not remain without assessment by the international community, the ministry said.
- There were 30 crew members on board, all Russian citizens.
- The carrier is registered in the Port of Sochi.
tass.com
MOSCOW, March 4. /TASS/. A Russian gas carrier was attacked in the Mediterranean Sea by Ukrainian unmanned boats, and all 30 Russian crew members have been rescued, the Russian Transport Ministry reported.
"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 tanker was carrying cargo documented in full compliance with all international regulations and was en route from the port of Murmansk," the statement said. The attack was carried out from the Libyan coast using Ukrainian unmanned boats, the ministry added.
Thanks to coordinated actions by Maltese and Russian rescue services, all 30 crew members, who are Russian citizens, were rescued, the ministry said.
The Russian Transport Ministry described the attack as an act of international terrorism and maritime piracy.
"We qualify what happened as an act of international terrorism and maritime piracy, a gross violation of the fundamental norms of international maritime law. 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," the ministry said.
tass.com
MOSCOW, March 4. /TASS/. Two sailors were injured in the attack on the Russian gas carrier Arctic Metagaz in the Mediterranean Sea on March 3, the Russian Transport Ministry’s official spokesman Nikolay Shestakov told TASS.
"According to updated information, two sailors suffered burns as a result of an incident with the Russian gas tanker Arctic Metagaz. They were taken off the ship by a lifeboat and taken to a hospital in Benghazi. They will be given necessary medical assistance. The remaining 28 people are on their way to Murmansk," he said.
Earlier reports said that the Russian gas carrier was attacked by Ukrainian unmanned boats from the Libyan coast. The incident occurred in close proximity to the territorial waters of the European Union member state of Malta. The Transport Ministry said that the tanker was en route from the port of Murmansk carrying cargo documented in full compliance with international regulations.
The Transport Ministry described the attack as an act of international terrorism and maritime piracy.
Russian LNG Carrier ‘Arctic Metagaz’ Reportedly Ablaze Off Malta as Maritime Patrol Aircraft Circles
An LNG carrier identified as the Arctic Metagaz, part of Russia’s emerging shadow fleet transporting sanctioned liquefied natural gas, was reportedly on fire early Tuesday in the central Mediterranean off the coasts of Malta and Libya.
gcaptain.com
An LNG carrier identified as the Arctic Metagaz, part of Russia’s emerging shadow fleet transporting sanctioned liquefied natural gas, was reportedly on fire early Tuesday in the central Mediterranean off the coasts of Malta and Libya.
Footage circulating on the platform X appeared to show a large LNG carrier engulfed in flames following what several social media accounts described as explosions. The authenticity of the video could not immediately be verified. However, preliminary visual analysis suggests the imagery does not match previously documented LNG carrier fire incidents that have circulated online in recent years.
A representative of the Diaplous Group, a maritime security and risk management firm based in Greece, confirmed to gCaptain by phone that the vessel was indeed on fire. “We can confirm it happened, but we do not know any further details at this time,” the representative said.
EOS Risk Group and Bloomberg are now also reporting on the incident. EOS’ alert reads: “At approximately 0400LT a tanker, ARCTIC METAGAZ (IMO: 9243148) is reported to have suffered a drone attack while in transit eastbound in the Mediterranean, SE of Malta. Local reporting indicated a fire onboard. There was no distress signal by the vessel and no information on the status of the crew or cargo…. ARCTIC METAGAZ, which is under US and UK sanctions since 2024, had departed Murmansk, Russia, on 24 February after loading cargo at an FSU and was likely in transit toward Suez.
According to vessel tracking data, the Arctic Metagaz loaded LNG at the Saam floating storage unit (FSU) on February 18 before transiting around the United Kingdom and Spain into the Mediterranean. The vessel’s Automatic Identification System (AIS) signal was reportedly lost yesterday while it was approximately 30 nautical miles off Malta’s northeastern coast.
Arctic Metagaz’s recent AIS track off the coast of Malta (Source: MagicPort Maritime Intelligence)
Data from Flightradar24 showed a Turkish Navy ATR 72-600 maritime patrol aircraft circling the area near the last known position of the vessel, suggesting regional authorities were actively monitoring the situation.
Screenshot of Turkish Navy patrol circling near Arctic Metagaz’s last known location. (Source: Flightradar24)
Greek media outlets reported that the sanctioned vessel may have been struck around 4:00 a.m. local time, followed by multiple explosions. These claims remain unconfirmed.
Photos have since begun circulating online showing the initial explosion:
The Armed Forces of Malta (AFM) Maritime Squadron, the country’s primary maritime safety, law enforcement, and search and rescue entity, did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
It remains unclear whether the incident was the result of an accident, mechanical failure, or a deliberate attack by air or sea. There is also no confirmation at this stage whether the event is linked to escalating tensions involving Iran or represents a targeted Ukrainian operation.
The Arctic Metagaz is among roughly a dozen vessels used to transport sanctioned LNG from Russia’s Arctic LNG 2 facility to buyers at China’s Beihai Terminal. These vessels have drawn increased scrutiny amid Western sanctions targeting Russia’s energy exports.
Ukraine has previously demonstrated an ability to strike Russian naval and logistics assets far beyond the Black Sea. Ukrainian intelligence and special operations units have claimed responsibility for sabotage and explosive attacks against Russian-linked vessels and infrastructure in European waters.
The first confirmed Ukrainian attacks on a vessel in the Mediterranean occurred just over two months ago when the Qendil, an Omani-flagged “shadow fleet” tanker was struck between Crete and Malta
Update:
'Arctic Metagaz' Sinks Off Libya After Blast; Moscow Blames Ukrainian Drone Attack
An LNG carrier central to Russia’s sanctioned Arctic gas trade was rocked by an explosion around 4 a.m. on March 3 roughly 150 nautical miles southeast of Malta, in an incident Moscow said was a Ukrainian attack and that could ripple through the Kremlin’s fragile LNG shadow fleet logistics network.
gcaptain.com
FACTBOX: What we know about attack on Russian gas carrier in Mediterranean Sea
The Transport Ministry described the attack as an act of international terrorism and maritime piracy
tass.com
TASS has gathered the key facts about the incident.
About the incident
- The Russian gas carrier Arctic Metagaz was attacked on March 3 in the Mediterranean Sea.- The incident occurred in close proximity to the territorial waters of the European Union member state of Malta.
- According to the Transport Ministry, the tanker was en route from the port of Murmansk carrying cargo documented in full compliance with international regulations.
- The attack was carried out from the Libyan coast using Ukrainian unmanned boats, the ministry said.
Legal assessment
- The Transport Ministry described the attack as an act of international terrorism and maritime piracy.- The ministry called the incident a gross violation of the fundamental norms of international maritime law.
- Such actions, carried out with the connivance of the authorities of EU member states, must not remain without assessment by the international community, the ministry said.
Crew
- All crew members were rescued thanks to coordinated efforts by Maltese and Russian rescue services.- There were 30 crew members on board, all Russian citizens.
About the tanker
- The gas carrier Arctic Metagaz was built in 2003, according to data from the Russian Maritime Register of Shipping.- The carrier is registered in the Port of Sochi.
Russian gas carrier attacked in Mediterranean Sea by Ukrainian unmanned boats
All 30 crew members were rescued
tass.com
"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 tanker was carrying cargo documented in full compliance with all international regulations and was en route from the port of Murmansk," the statement said. The attack was carried out from the Libyan coast using Ukrainian unmanned boats, the ministry added.
Thanks to coordinated actions by Maltese and Russian rescue services, all 30 crew members, who are Russian citizens, were rescued, the ministry said.
The Russian Transport Ministry described the attack as an act of international terrorism and maritime piracy.
"We qualify what happened as an act of international terrorism and maritime piracy, a gross violation of the fundamental norms of international maritime law. 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," the ministry said.
Two sailors injured in attack on Russian gas tanker — transport ministry
They were taken off the ship by a lifeboat and taken to a hospital in Benghazi
tass.com
"According to updated information, two sailors suffered burns as a result of an incident with the Russian gas tanker Arctic Metagaz. They were taken off the ship by a lifeboat and taken to a hospital in Benghazi. They will be given necessary medical assistance. The remaining 28 people are on their way to Murmansk," he said.
Earlier reports said that the Russian gas carrier was attacked by Ukrainian unmanned boats from the Libyan coast. The incident occurred in close proximity to the territorial waters of the European Union member state of Malta. The Transport Ministry said that the tanker was en route from the port of Murmansk carrying cargo documented in full compliance with international regulations.
The Transport Ministry described the attack as an act of international terrorism and maritime piracy.
There is one post from Viktor Orban on X that he could use force to reestablish the friendship-pipeline. The EU tried to get an inspection, which was denied by Ukraine as I read. Then there is a threat from Zelensky, if Hungary doesn't vote for the 90 billion credit/ loan, that they will use military force.
www.rt.com
Zelensky issues military threat to Orban (VIDEO)
Ukraine’s Vladimir Zelensky has threatened Hungary’s Viktor Orban with military force if he continues to block EU aid for Kiev
There is one post from Viktor Orban on X that he could use force to reestablish the friendship-pipeline. The EU tried to get an inspection, which was denied by Ukraine as I read. Then there is a threat from Zelensky, if Hungary doesn't vote for the 90 billion credit/ loan, that they will use military force.
Zelensky issues military threat to Orban (VIDEO)
Ukraine’s Vladimir Zelensky has threatened Hungary’s Viktor Orban with military force if he continues to block EU aid for Kiev
Freedom and democracy, Zelensky-style.
Looks like all the psychos are becoming unhinged, especially the ones who have their backs against the wall. As if a two-front war against Hungary would not mean an even quicker defeat for Ukraine.
Ukraine, Russia free 200 POWs each in latest swap amid stalled peace talks
Exchange comes amid a deadlock in US-brokered negotiations to end the four-year war between the two countries.
Ukraine and Russia have freed 200 prisoners of war (POWs) each, officials from the two countries said, as efforts to reach a deal to end their four-year conflict appear to have stalled.
Thursday’s release is part of an exchange agreed during talks in Geneva last month that will see a total of 500 POWs freed by each side, Ukrainian and Russian officials said, with the remaining 300 expected to be released on Friday.
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“And this is always good news for all of us, for the entire country: the return of our people to their homeland,” added Zelenskyy, thanking the United States “for its support in making this exchange possible”.
Video footage shared by Ukrainian Human Rights Commissioner Dmytro Lubinets showed servicemen leaving buses, wrapped in Ukrainian flags and shouting “Glory to Ukraine!”, before embracing loved ones who came to welcome them.
The Russian Defence Ministry also published footage showing its soldiers boarding a bus and cheering while draped in Russian flags.
Russia has drone superiority in Zaporozhye Region — serviceman
According to a strike UAV operator with the 1251st Motorized Rifle Regiment, call sign "Znakhar", the enemy’s unmanned aerial vehicles are currently suffering considerable losses
tass.com
According to a strike UAV operator with the 1251st Motorized Rifle Regiment, call sign "Znakhar", the enemy’s unmanned aerial vehicles are currently suffering considerable losses
TOKMAK, March 6. /TASS/. The Russian Armed Forces have an advantage in unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) in the Zaporozhye Region over Ukrainian troops, a strike UAV operator with the 1251st Motorized Rifle Regiment, call sign "Znakhar," told TASS.
"Currently, the Ukrainian UAVs aren’t as successful. We have the advantage in the air. They have to retreat, they lose a lot of ‘birds’ because they are being downed all the time. We don’t let them approach our positions, so it’s difficult for them," the serviceman said.
According to him, the enemy’s unmanned aerial vehicles are currently suffering considerable losses.
Russian UAV units begin combat operations in Kramatorsk in Donetsk region
An FPV drone operator lets civilian vehicles pass freely, the Volunteer Corps operating within Russia’s Battlegroup South said
tass.com
An FPV drone operator lets civilian vehicles pass freely, the Volunteer Corps operating within Russia’s Battlegroup South said
Maria Zakharova is on point and is a
Russia on Zelensky’s Offer to Send Drone Interceptors to the Middle East
Hungary Detains 7 Ukrainians With $82M Cash & Gold in Suspected Money Laundering Case | APT
Another feel-good story for the sad souls of the Ukrainian army
Ukrainian F-16s Had Only A Handful Of Sidewinder Missiles Available: Report
The conflict in the Middle East is now also driving up demand for and increasing scarcity of various kinds of air-defense effectors. The conflict in the Middle East is now also driving up the demand for various kinds air-defense effectors.
www.twz.com
Thomas Newdick Published Mar 5, 2026 1:1 Snip:
For more than three weeks, Ukraine was left with only “a handful” of U.S.-made AIM-9 Sidewinder air-to-air missiles for its F-16 fleet, after the supply of the weapons dried up. This is the conclusion of a Reuters report, citing three sources, all of whom are said to have direct knowledge of the situation. It also comes as Kyiv is increasingly in competition with the U.S. military and its Gulf allies as they come under continued pressure from Iranian drones and missiles in the Middle East.
The shortage of infrared-guided air-to-air missiles occurred between late November and mid-December of last year, the three sources said. This was a critical time, just before Russia began its winter campaign of bombardment against Ukrainian cities and infrastructure.
According to one of the sources, during the period when AIM-9s were in short supply, F-16 pilots were forced to fly daytime sorties and instead try to shoot down drones with their internal 20mm M61 Vulcan cannon. This is hardly ideal, since the Russian drone attacks normally come at night, but gunning down targets in the hours of darkness is judged too dangerous.
Skipping Down:
The Ukrainian Air Force flew its first F-16 combat sorties against aerial targets in August of 2024.
According to one Ukrainian F-16 pilot, on one occasion, one of his squadrons destroyed six cruise missiles and seven attack drones in a single sortie. This is a remarkable tally, by any measure, and would have required extremely precise use of the gun, even if all available missiles were successfully expended.
On the way to the F-16: an exclusive story from a Ukrainian pilot
So Hungary detained a retired Ukrainian special services general and six other Ukrainians suspected of money laundering. They planned to transport 40 million dollars, 35 million euros, and 9 kg of gold from Austria to Ukraine. The Ukies are saying it's a Ukrainian bank transfer and all above board but the Hungarians don't believe them and are investigating, or so they say.
This is getting interesting.
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