Vladimir Putin has accused Ukraine of carrying out a “terrorist attack” on a Russian LNG tanker that exploded and sank in the Mediterranean Sea off Libya.
The attack on the tanker, which was carrying 61,000 tonnes of LNG and “completely sank” between Libya and Malta, was confirmed by Libyan authorities.
Putin said the attack “exacerbates the situation on global energy markets, including gas markets”. Ukrainian officials did not immediately respond to Moscow’s claims.
The Russian president's statement came as Volodymyr Zelensky said the US-Israeli war on Iran had put a pause to trilateral peace talks to end the war in Ukraine.
"We continue to engage with the United States practically on a daily basis. For now, because of the situation with Iran, the necessary signals for a trilateral meeting haven't come yet," the Ukrainian president said in an evening address.
“As soon as the security situation and the broader political context allow us to resume the trilateral diplomatic work, it will be done. Ukraine is ready for it."
Read MoreRussia blames Ukraine sea drones for attacking tanker that sank in the Mediterranean
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Putin threatens shutting off Russian gas supplies to Europe
Key Points
- Ukraine peace talks on hold due to US-Iran conflict, says Zelensky
- Ukraine could lose access to US weapons as conflict with Iran escalates
- Putin blames Ukraine for attacking gas tanker that exploded off Libya
- Putin threatens to halt gas supplies to Europe amid Iran energy spike
- Zelensky speaks to leaders of Bahrain and Kuwait over Iran conflict
Ukraine peace talks on hold due to US-Iran conflict, says Zelensky
08:45 , Arpan RaiThe ongoing military conflict between the US and Iran has paused the trilateral peace talks to end the war in Ukraine, president Volodymyr Zelensky said.
"We continue to engage with the United States practically on a daily basis. For now, because of the situation with Iran, the necessary signals for a trilateral meeting haven't come yet," he said in an evening address.
"As soon as the security situation and the broader political context allow us to resume the trilateral diplomatic work, it will be done. Ukraine is ready for it," Zelensky said.
Zelensky says Kyiv's partners, including US, sought help against Iranian drones
08:15 , Arpan RaiPresident Volodymyr Zelensky said Ukraine's partners, including the United States, had sought Kyiv's help in defending against Iranian drones.
"Partners are turning to us, to Ukraine, asking for help in defending against (Iranian-designed) Shahed drones, with expertise and real operational experience," the Ukrainian leader said.
"There have also been requests from the American side."
Zelensky and other Ukrainian officials had previously suggested that Kyiv could share expertise with Middle East countries if they could help persuade Russia to observe a ceasefire in the four-year-old war pitting Kyiv against Moscow.
Russian drone strikes foreign cargo ship near Ukraine Black Sea port
08:00 , Arpan RaiA Russian drone damaged a civilian Panama-flagged vessel that was transporting corn near the Ukrainian port of Chornomorsk in the Black Sea Odesa region, the Ukrainian Sea Ports Authority said late on Wednesday.
The vessel was hit while en route out of the port, the ports authority said on the Telegram messaging app, without specifying the extent of the damage to the ship.
The Ukrainian navy said one crew member had been hurt in the attack on the "BULL" vessel, which had left the port and was heading towards the Bosphorus Strait.
The captain refused assistance and evacuation of the injured person and continued on its designated route, the statement, posted on social media, added.
Ukraine ships about 90 per cent of its exports via the Odesa port hub.
Ukraine could lose US weapons as conflict with Iran escalates
07:45 , Arpan RaiUkraine could face a critical shortage of US air defence missiles with the US focusing on its military assault on Iran, experts have said.
Iran has retaliated to the US killing of its supreme leader with a major offensive by firing hundreds of ballistic missiles and drones at Gulf nations.
The joint forces in the Gulf nations have intercepted these incoming projectiles with US’s Patriot missile interceptors. The anti-missile defence systems have proven critical for Ukraine as well to fight off Russian missiles targeting its energy and military infrastructure.
Serhii Kuzan, head of the Kyiv-based Ukrainian Security and Cooperation Center think tank, says that the roughly 600 PAC-3s produced yearly by Lockheed Martin are already insufficient to cover US needs and those of its allies in the Gulf, let alone Ukraine's.
"It's the very simple mathematics of war," Kuzan told the Japan Times.
The stockpiling of Patriots by Gulf states meant they were unlikely to run out completely, said Fabian Hoffmann, a doctoral research fellow at Oslo Universtiy.
This is particularly the case at a time the intensity of Iranian missile bombardments appeared to be decreasing, but they might need to become more selective in their use as time goes on, he said.
Putin blames Ukraine for attacking gas tanker that exploded off Libya
07:30 , Arpan RaiA Russian-flagged tanker carrying liquefied natural gas exploded and erupted in flames before sinking in the Mediterranean Sea off Libya, authorities in the North African country said Wednesday. Russia claimed that an attack by Ukrainian sea drones was to blame.
The Libyan Maritime Authority reported “sudden explosions, followed by a massive fire” on the Arctic Metagaz on Tuesday, when it was about 240km (150 miles) off the city of Sirte.
The tanker, carrying 61,000 tonnes of LNG, “completely sank” between Libya and Malta, a statement said. All 30 crew members were rescued and put on another vessel heading to the Libyan city of Benghazi, it said.
Russia’s transport ministry said the vessel was hit by Ukrainian sea drones launched from the Libyan coast. Russian president Vladimir Putin on Wednesday evening called what happened to the tanker “a terrorist attack” that “exacerbates the situation on global energy markets, including gas markets”.
Ukrainian officials made no immediate comment on the accusation.
Previous Ukrainian attacks on Russian ships have reportedly come from the Libyan coast, though Kyiv officials haven’t publicly confirmed those reports.
Putin threatens to halt gas supplies to Europe amid Iran energy spike
07:15 , Arpan RaiRussia could halt gas supplies to Europe right now amid a spike in energy prices triggered by the Iran crisis, Vladimir Putin warned on Wednesday.
The Russian president was linking the possible decision to the European Union wanting to ban purchases of Russian gas and liquefied natural gas.
Oil and gas prices have soared following the US-Israeli attack on Iran and Tehran's strikes on Gulf Arab neighbours. The conflict has paralysed shipping through the Strait of Hormuz and forced the shutdown of Qatar’s LNG production and Saudi Arabia’s largest oil refinery.
Putin said oil prices were rising due to the "aggression against Iran" and due to Western restrictions on Russian oil, while European gas prices were rising because customers were willing to buy gas volumes at higher prices due to events in the Middle East and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.
Asked by a Russian state television correspondent about European plans to completely ban Russian pipeline gas imports by late 2027 as well as new short-term Russian LNG contracts from late April 2026, Putin said it might be more beneficial for Russia to stop selling the gas right now.
“Now other markets are opening up. And perhaps it would be more profitable for us to stop supplying the European market right now. To move into those markets that are opening up and establish ourselves there," Putin said, according to a transcript released by the Kremlin.
“This is not a decision, it is, in this case, what is called thinking out loud. I will definitely instruct the government to work on this issue together with our companies," Putin said, linking the possible decision directly to Europe's "misguided policies".
Zelensky speaks to leaders of Bahrain and Kuwait over Iran conflict
07:00 , Arpan RaiUkrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky said he discussed the Middle East conflict on Wednesday with the king of Bahrain and the crown prince of Kuwait.
Zelensky said that his administration was in daily contact with the US and once the security situation around Iran permitted it, trilateral talks with Moscow and Washington on a settlement of the war with Moscow would resume.
In his nightly video address, Zelensky said talks about Iran included leaders of Jordan, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates.
Ukraine's partners, including the US, had sought Kyiv's help in defending against Iranian drones, like those used by Russia in the four-year-old war with Ukraine.
"Partners are turning to us, to Ukraine, asking for help in defending against shaheds. There have also been requests from the American side," he said.
Watch: Zelensky says US 'asking for help' in Middle East war
06:59 , Arpan RaiUS starved Ukraine's F-16 jets missiles for weeks ahead of Putin's winter offensive – report
06:39 , Arpan RaiUkraine's F-16 fighter jets didn't have enough missiles to shoot down Russian drones and missiles for more than three weeks after supplies from Kyiv's partners dried up just as Moscow was preparing a massive winter air campaign, three sources told Reuters.
The acute shortage from late November to mid-December, which has not been previously reported, lays bare the vulnerability of Ukraine's air defences which rely heavily on Western allies for missiles and defence systems to repel frequent Russian strikes.
The three sources, all with direct knowledge of the situation, said Ukraine only had a handful of US-made AIM-9 "Sidewinder" air-to-air missiles for its entire squadron of F-16s when supplies stopped.
Despite Ukraine's vocal lobbying, concrete examples of how shortages affect its defence capabilities are normally kept secret. In this case, one of the sources told Reuters that Ukraine had nothing to put on its jets for almost a month.
All three sources asked not to be named to describe sensitive battlefield vulnerabilities caused by interruptions to weapons flows.
Hundreds of thousands of Ukrainians have survived the worst of a bitter winter without heating, electricity and running water as a result of an intensifying Russian onslaught on the energy system that Ukraine has been unable to completely repel.
Ukrainian drones damage civilian sites in Russia's southern Saratov region
06:25 , Arpan RaiUkrainian drones damaged civilian sites in southern Russia's Saratov region and injured three people, regional governor Roman Busgarin said early on Thursday.
Busgarin gave no further details, but said emergency crews were at the site of the attack.
Civil aviation authority Rosaviatsia said Saratov airport was one of several in central and southern Russia closed to flights late on Wednesday and in the early hours of Thursday.
Watch: Trump using his missiles on Iran leaves Ukraine short, Zelensky warns
06:10 , Arpan RaiZelensky says support plan for Middle East allies hit by Iran strikes being worked on
05:54 , Arpan RaiVolodymyr Zelensky said he has ordered Ukraine's government to develop options to support Gulf countries facing Iranian drone and missile attacks.
"Our military has the necessary capabilities," Zelensky said. "Ukrainian experts will work on site, and teams are already negotiating this. We are ready to help protect lives, protect civilians,” he said.
Zelensky added that he spoke with leaders of the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Jordan, and Bahrain, and is preparing talks with Kuwait's leadership.
"All of them face a serious threat, and they speak about it openly: Iranian attack drones. The same 'Shaheds' that strike our cities and villages, our Ukrainian infrastructure," he said.
"I have tasked our teams to present ways to support these countries and provide assistance in a manner that does not compromise our own defense here in Ukraine," Zelensky added.
Zelensky says Kyiv's partners, including US, sought help against Iranian drones
05:18 , Arpan RaiPresident Volodymyr Zelensky said Ukraine's partners, including the United States, had sought Kyiv's help in defending against Iranian drones.
"Partners are turning to us, to Ukraine, asking for help in defending against (Iranian-designed) Shahed drones, with expertise and real operational experience," the Ukrainian leader said.
"There have also been requests from the American side."
Zelensky and other Ukrainian officials had previously suggested that Kyiv could share expertise with Middle East countries if they could help persuade Russia to observe a ceasefire in the four-year-old war pitting Kyiv against Moscow.
Why the Russian army has suffered its slowest advance in nearly two years
04:56 , Arpan RaiThe Russian army has experienced its slowest advance on the war frontline in almost two years, according to analysis from the US-based Institute for the Study of War (ISW).
Ukrainian forces achieved several localised breakthroughs, particularly along the southern frontline and by pushing back Russian troops in the Dnipropetrovsk region.
Despite the slowdown, Moscow continues to advance in the east, moving closer to the key hubs of Kramatorsk and Sloviansk in Ukraine’s eastern Donetsk region, and currently occupies over 19 per cent of Ukrainian territory.
Ukrainian troops made significant territorial gains during February, including 61 square kilometres on 15 February and more than 50 square kilometres on both 21 February and 23 February.
These Ukrainian advances coincided with a slowdown in Russian troop movements at the frontline, which occurred after Elon Musk reportedly cut Starlink access for Moscow’s forces.
How Russia could profit from rising energy prices fuelled by Iran war
04:29 , Arpan RaiThe escalating conflict in Iran is inadvertently bolstering Russia's financial capacity, strengthening its ability to fund its ongoing war in Ukraine through increased energy profits.
Prices for Russian oil exports have surged from under $40 per barrel as recently as December to approximately $62 per barrel.
This rise is attributed first to pre-war anxieties and subsequently to the significant disruption of tanker traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, a vital conduit for roughly 20 per cent of global oil consumption.
While Russian crude continues to trade at a notable discount compared to international benchmark Brent crude, which has climbed above $82 from its pre-attack price of $72.87, its current price now surpasses the $59 per barrel benchmark assumed in the Russian Finance Ministry's 2026 budget plan.
How Russia could profit from rising energy prices fuelled by Iran war
Ukraine peace talks on hold due to US-Iran conflict, says Zelensky
04:05 , Arpan RaiThe ongoing military conflict between the US and Iran has paused the trilateral peace talks to end the war in Ukraine, president Volodymyr Zelensky said.
"We continue to engage with the United States practically on a daily basis. For now, because of the situation with Iran, the necessary signals for a trilateral meeting haven't come yet," he said in an evening address.
"As soon as the security situation and the broader political context allow us to resume the trilateral diplomatic work, it will be done. Ukraine is ready for it," Zelensky said.
Ukraine could lose US weapons as conflict with Iran escalates
03:52 , Arpan RaiUkraine could face a critical shortage of US air defence missiles with the US focusing on its military assault on Iran, experts have said.
Iran has retaliated to the US killing of its supreme leader with a major offensive by firing hundreds of ballistic missiles and drones at Gulf nations.
The joint forces in the Gulf nations have intercepted these incoming projectiles with US’s Patriot missile interceptors. The anti-missile defence systems have proven critical for Ukraine as well to fight off Russian missiles targeting its energy and military infrastructure.
Serhii Kuzan, head of the Kyiv-based Ukrainian Security and Cooperation Center think tank, says that the roughly 600 PAC-3s produced yearly by Lockheed Martin are already insufficient to cover US needs and those of its allies in the Gulf, let alone Ukraine's.
"It's the very simple mathematics of war," Kuzan told the Japan Times.
The stockpiling of Patriots by Gulf states meant they were unlikely to run out completely, said Fabian Hoffmann, a doctoral research fellow at Oslo Universtiy.
This is particularly the case at a time the intensity of Iranian missile bombardments appeared to be decreasing, but they might need to become more selective in their use as time goes on, he said.
Putin blames Ukraine for attacking gas tanker that exploded off Libya
03:38 , Arpan RaiA Russian-flagged tanker carrying liquefied natural gas exploded and erupted in flames before sinking in the Mediterranean Sea off Libya, authorities in the North African country said Wednesday. Russia claimed that an attack by Ukrainian sea drones was to blame.
The Libyan Maritime Authority reported “sudden explosions, followed by a massive fire” on the Arctic Metagaz on Tuesday, when it was about 240km (150 miles) off the city of Sirte.
The tanker, carrying 61,000 tonnes of LNG, “completely sank” between Libya and Malta, a statement said. All 30 crew members were rescued and put on another vessel heading to the Libyan city of Benghazi, it said.
Russia’s transport ministry said the vessel was hit by Ukrainian sea drones launched from the Libyan coast. Russian president Vladimir Putin on Wednesday evening called what happened to the tanker “a terrorist attack” that “exacerbates the situation on global energy markets, including gas markets”.
Ukrainian officials made no immediate comment on the accusation.
Previous Ukrainian attacks on Russian ships have reportedly come from the Libyan coast, though Kyiv officials haven’t publicly confirmed those reports.
Putin threatens to halt gas supplies to Europe amid Iran energy spike
03:28 , Arpan RaiRussia could halt gas supplies to Europe right now amid a spike in energy prices triggered by the Iran crisis, Vladimir Putin warned on Wednesday.
The Russian president was linking the possible decision to the European Union wanting to ban purchases of Russian gas and liquefied natural gas.
Oil and gas prices have soared following the US-Israeli attack on Iran and Tehran's strikes on Gulf Arab neighbours. The conflict has paralysed shipping through the Strait of Hormuz and forced the shutdown of Qatar’s LNG production and Saudi Arabia’s largest oil refinery.
Putin said oil prices were rising due to the "aggression against Iran" and due to Western restrictions on Russian oil, while European gas prices were rising because customers were willing to buy gas volumes at higher prices due to events in the Middle East and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.
Asked by a Russian state television correspondent about European plans to completely ban Russian pipeline gas imports by late 2027 as well as new short-term Russian LNG contracts from late April 2026, Putin said it might be more beneficial for Russia to stop selling the gas right now.
“Now other markets are opening up. And perhaps it would be more profitable for us to stop supplying the European market right now. To move into those markets that are opening up and establish ourselves there," Putin said, according to a transcript released by the Kremlin.
“This is not a decision, it is, in this case, what is called thinking out loud. I will definitely instruct the government to work on this issue together with our companies," Putin said, linking the possible decision directly to Europe's "misguided policies".
Zelensky speaks to leaders of Bahrain and Kuwait over Iran conflict
03:05 , Arpan RaiUkrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky said he discussed the Middle East conflict on Wednesday with the king of Bahrain and the crown prince of Kuwait.
Zelensky said that his administration was in daily contact with the US and once the security situation around Iran permitted it, trilateral talks with Moscow and Washington on a settlement of the war with Moscow would resume.
In his nightly video address, Zelensky said talks about Iran included leaders of Jordan, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates.
Ukraine's partners, including the US, had sought Kyiv's help in defending against Iranian drones, like those used by Russia in the four-year-old war with Ukraine.
"Partners are turning to us, to Ukraine, asking for help in defending against shaheds. There have also been requests from the American side," he said.
Russia's budget deficit much bigger than official figures, German intelligence claims
02:55 , Arpan RaiRussia's true federal budget deficit in 2025 exceeded 2.36 trillion roubles (£24bn), far above official figures, as Moscow sought to hide the real costs of its war in Ukraine, Germany's BND intelligence service claimed today.
In a LinkedIn post, the agency said Western sanctions were having a "clear effect" and that concealing economic damage made Russia an "incalculable risk" for investment.
"Putin is sacrificing Russia's economic future for his imperial goals," the intelligence service said.
Ukrainian drones damage civilian sites in Russia's southern Saratov region
02:44 , Arpan RaiUkrainian drones damaged civilian sites in southern Russia's Saratov region and injured three people, regional governor Roman Busgarin said early on Thursday.
Busgarin gave no further details, but said emergency crews were at the site of the attack.
Civil aviation authority Rosaviatsia said Saratov airport was one of several in central and southern Russia closed to flights late on Wednesday and in the early hours of Thursday.
Putin accuses Ukraine of 'energy blackmail' as he meets with Hungary's foreign minister
02:00 , Maira ButtRussian president Vladimir Putin will hold talks with Hungarian foreign minister Peter Szijjarto later on Wednesday after accusing Ukraine of "blackmailing" of Slovakia and Hungary over oil supplies, the Kremlin said.
Kyiv has said that the Ukrainian branch of the Druzhba oil pipeline, which supplies Russian oil to Hungary and Slovakia, was severely damaged by fire after a Russian attack in late January and cannot be repaired quickly.
Hungary and Slovakia have both accused Ukraine - which has long been unhappy about them continuing to buy Russian oil - of deliberately dragging its feet over the repairs for political reasons.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Putin would discuss the matter with Szijjarto, a frequent visitor to Moscow, later on Wednesday.
"You know the buyers of our oil, such as Hungary and Slovakia, who are now facing blackmail from the Kyiv regime. This refers to blackmail related to the deliberate blocking of supplies via the Druzhba oil pipeline. Of course, this will be discussed today," said Peskov.
Russia prepared to divert oil to India as Middle East conflict disrupts flows, source says
01:00 , Maira ButtRussia is ready to divert oil to India to offset Middle East supply disruptions, with about 9.5 million barrels of Russian crude in vessels near Indian waters and able to arrive within weeks, an industry source with direct knowledge told Reuters.
The source declined to say where the non-Russian fleet cargoes were originally headed but said they could deliver to India within weeks, giving refiners rapid relief.
India is vulnerable to supply shocks, with crude stocks covering only about 25 days of demand, while refiners hold similarly limited inventories of gasoil, gasoline and liquefied petroleum gas.
An Indian government source said New Delhi was scouting for alternative supply to prepare for continuing conflict in the Middle East beyond 10-15 days.
In pictures: Russian President Vladimir Putin leads a cabinet meeting via videoconference at the Kremlin in Moscow,
00:01 , Maira Butt Why the Russian army has suffered its slowest advance in nearly two years
Wednesday 4 March 2026 23:00 , Maira ButtThe Russian army has experienced its slowest advance on the war frontline in almost two years, according to analysis from the US-based Institute for the Study of War (ISW).
Ukrainian forces achieved several localised breakthroughs, particularly along the southern frontline and by pushing back Russian troops in the Dnipropetrovsk region.
Despite the slowdown, Moscow continues to advance in the east, moving closer to the key hubs of Kramatorsk and Sloviansk in Ukraine’s eastern Donetsk region, and currently occupies over 19 per cent of Ukrainian territory.
Ukrainian troops made significant territorial gains during February, including 61 square kilometres on 15 February and more than 50 square kilometres on both 21 February and 23 February.
These Ukrainian advances coincided with a slowdown in Russian troop movements at the frontline, which occurred after Elon Musk reportedly cut Starlink access for Moscow’s forces.
Russia accuse Ukraine of attacking Arctic Metagaz tanker in Mediterranean
Wednesday 4 March 2026 22:00 , Maira ButtRussia's transport ministry said on Wednesday that Ukrainian naval drones were responsible for an attack on a Russian ship carrying gas - Arctic Metagaz - which caught fire in the Mediterranean a day earlier.
The ministry said the attack was "an act of international terrorism" and that all 30 crew members, who were Russian nationals, were safe. The Security Service of Ukraine did not respond to a request.
Analysis: We’re experts on the Ukraine war. Here’s what we think will happen next
Wednesday 4 March 2026 21:00 , Maira ButtFour years ago, on February 24 2022, Russian president Vladimir Putin announced that his forces had begun a full-scale invasion of Ukraine – the reasons for which we have explored here. Within minutes, explosions were heard in major Ukrainian cities as Russian troops flooded across the border.
Russian forces made swift gains, capturing key areas near the capital of Kyiv. But the offensive soon stalled and, by December, Russia had been forced to withdraw its forces and consolidate in the east where the war has ground on ever since.
We asked Stefan Wolff, Tetyana Malyarenko, Scott Lucas and Mark Webber, four regular contributors to the Conversation UK’s coverage of Ukraine, for their take on the most surprising development of the war so far and its likely trajectory from here.
Read the full story below.
We’re experts on the Ukraine war. Here’s what we think will happen next
In pictures: Aftermath of Russian strikes on a passenger train
Wednesday 4 March 2026 20:00 , Maira Butt Ukraine receives $1.5bn under new IMF deal
Wednesday 4 March 2026 19:30 , Maira ButtUkraine has received $1.5 billion under the first tranche under the new 4-year IMF EFF program. The funds will be directed to finance priority expenditures.
“We continue implementing agreed reforms to strengthen resilience, governance, and recovery,” said Sergii Marchenko the minister of finance.
Ukraine received $1.5b as the first tranche under the new 4-year IMF EFF program. The funds will be directed to finance priority expenditures. We continue implementing agreed reforms to strengthen resilience, governance, and recovery. Grateful to @IMFNews for its support.… pic.twitter.com/thKx2QDSlx
— Sergii Marchenko (@SergiiMarchenk3) March 3, 2026
EU 'concerned' but not planning emergency response after Iran-driven energy spike
Wednesday 4 March 2026 19:00 , Maira ButtThe European Union has warned member states about soaring gas prices caused by the ongoing crisis in Iran and the Middle East, but reassured members by saying that it saw no immediate threat to supplies and was not planning an emergency response, officials told Reuters on Wednesday.
Global oil and gas markets have been jolted by the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran and Iran's attacks across the Middle East, halting Qatari LNG production and energy shipments through the Strait of Hormuz.
The European Commission told EU members by video calls on Wednesday that it was concerned about soaring oil and gas prices, but said there was no immediate risk to EU supplies, four officials familiar with the discussions said.
The Commission said, for now, the EU was not planning emergency measures in response.
Watch: Trump defense official tells MAGA senator that 'Canada needs to step up' militarily on Russia threat
Wednesday 4 March 2026 18:30 , Maira ButtEgypt denies ties to Russian LNG tanker that sank in Mediterranean
Wednesday 4 March 2026 18:02 , James ReynoldsEgypt's petroleum ministry denied any connection with a Russian gas tanker that sank in the Mediterranean on Wednesday.
The Egyptian petroleum ministry said in a statement that the tanker was not bound for any of Egypt's ports and was not listed under supply or LNG cargo contracts to the country.
Russia accused Ukraine of attacking the ship, which sank in waters between Libya and Malta after catching fire a day earlier.
Libya's National Oil Corporation said earlier on Wednesday it had no involvement with the tanker, adding that it was en route to Egypt's Port Said.
Russia blames Ukrainian sea drones for attacking tanker that sank in the Mediterranean
Wednesday 4 March 2026 18:00 , Maira ButtA Russian-flagged tanker carrying liquefied natural gas exploded and erupted in flames before sinking in the Mediterranean Sea off the coast of Libya, authorities in the North African country said Wednesday, and Russia blamed the sinking on an attack by Ukrainian sea drones.
According to the Libyan Maritime Authority, there were “sudden explosions, followed by a massive fire” on the Arctic Metagaz on Tuesday, while the LNG carrier was about 240 kilometers (150 miles) off the coast of the Libyan city of Sirte.
The tanker, carrying 61,000 tons of LNG, “completely sank” between Libya and Malta, a statement said. All 30 crew members were rescued and put on another vessel heading to the Libyan city of Benghazi, it said.
Russia’s Transport Ministry said that the vessel was hit by Ukrainian sea drones launched from the Libyan coast. Ukrainian officials made no immediate comment on the accusation.
Read the full story below.
Russia blames Ukrainian sea drones for attacking tanker that sank in the Mediterranean
EU diplomat Kallas warns 'can't let Ukraine slip off the table' amidst Iran crisis
Wednesday 4 March 2026 17:30 , Maira ButtThe European Union's top diplomat Kaja Kallas warned that the crisis in the Middle East is drawing attention away from Ukraine, she told reporters on Wednesday.
“We can’t let it slip off the table,” she said.
Ms Kallas said that Iran's government is making a strong case for its demise by indiscriminately attacking its neighbours.
“Iran's strategy is to sow chaos and set the region on fire.”
Germany joins Paralympics opening ceremony boycott in solidarity with Ukraine amid Russia’s return
Wednesday 4 March 2026 17:00 , Maira ButtGerman athletes will not participate in the teams' parade at the Milano Cortina Paralympics opening ceremony on Friday, the German Paralympic Committee announced, stating their decision was made to express solidarity with Ukraine.
The move highlights growing tensions surrounding the Games, particularly after Russia and Belarus were granted participation spots despite the ongoing conflict in Ukraine following Russia's 2022 invasion.
Germany is now the latest nation to publicly declare it will skip the opening ceremony parade.
At least eight other teams are also set to boycott the event, while other countries have confirmed they will not be sending officials, underscoring a widespread unease among participating nations.
Germany joins Paralympics opening ceremony boycott amid Russia’s return
At least five injured in Russian strikes on Ukrainian railways
Wednesday 4 March 2026 16:30 , Maira ButtFive people were injured in two Russian attacks on railway infrastructure in southern Ukraine on Wednesday, officials aid.
The casualties included a railway worker who was hurt in a drone strike, which hit an empty passenger train in the morning in the Mykolaiv region, Deputy Prime Minister Oleksiy Kuleba said on Telegram.
Another worker and two children were later injured when a Russian missile hit an administrative building at a railway station in the neighbouring Odesa region, he said.
An official later updated the number of injured in the missile attack to four, without saying who the fourth person was.
In pictures: Putin attends the annual extended session of the Ministry of Internal Affairs' board
Wednesday 4 March 2026 16:00 , Bryony Gooch Russia prepared to divert oil to India as Middle East conflict disrupts flows, source says
Wednesday 4 March 2026 15:30 , Bryony GoochRussia is ready to divert oil to India to offset Middle East supply disruptions, with about 9.5 million barrels of Russian crude in vessels near Indian waters and able to arrive within weeks, an industry source with direct knowledge told Reuters.
The source declined to say where the non-Russian fleet cargoes were originally headed but said they could deliver to India within weeks, giving refiners rapid relief.
India is vulnerable to supply shocks, with crude stocks covering only about 25 days of demand, while refiners hold similarly limited inventories of gasoil, gasoline and liquefied petroleum gas.
An Indian government source said New Delhi was scouting for alternative supply to prepare for continuing conflict in the Middle East beyond 10-15 days.
Watch: Five injured in Ukrainian drone attack on major Russian oil terminal
Wednesday 4 March 2026 15:00 , Bryony GoochHungary foreign minister hopes to have two ethnic Hungarian prisoners of war freed by Russia
Wednesday 4 March 2026 14:30 , Bryony GoochHungary's foreign minister Peter Szijjarto said on Wednesday that he hopes to have two ethnic Hungarian prisoners of war freed by Russia during his talks in Moscow.
"I hope that after our talks more people will fly home on the plane than who came in this direction," Szijjarto said in a video broadcast on his Facebook page from Moscow before his talks with Russia's president Vladimir Putin.
Putin accuses Ukraine of 'energy blackmail' as he meets with Hungary's foreign minister
Wednesday 4 March 2026 14:00 , Bryony GoochRussian president Vladimir Putin will hold talks with Hungarian foreign minister Peter Szijjarto later on Wednesday after accusing Ukraine of "blackmailing" of Slovakia and Hungary over oil supplies, the Kremlin said.
Kyiv has said that the Ukrainian branch of the Druzhba oil pipeline, which supplies Russian oil to Hungary and Slovakia, was severely damaged by fire after a Russian attack in late January and cannot be repaired quickly.
Hungary and Slovakia have both accused Ukraine - which has long been unhappy about them continuing to buy Russian oil - of deliberately dragging its feet over the repairs for political reasons.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Putin would discuss the matter with Szijjarto, a frequent visitor to Moscow, later on Wednesday.
"You know the buyers of our oil, such as Hungary and Slovakia, who are now facing blackmail from the Kyiv regime. This refers to blackmail related to the deliberate blocking of supplies via the Druzhba oil pipeline. Of course, this will be discussed today," said Peskov.
In pictures: Ukrainian soldiers install barbed wire near a front line near Kupiansk
Wednesday 4 March 2026 13:30 , Bryony Gooch Even in Ukraine’s ghost towns there are people who will not leave
Wednesday 4 March 2026 13:00 , Bryony Gooch Even in Ukraine’s ghost towns there are people – those who will not leave
In pictures: Ukrainian politician and weightlifter Artem Dmytruk arriving at Westminster Magistrates' Court for a hearing on extradition
Wednesday 4 March 2026 12:30 , Bryony Gooch Watch: Trump defense official tells MAGA senator that 'Canada needs to step up' militarily on Russia threat
Wednesday 4 March 2026 12:00 , Bryony GoochIn pictures: Passenger train hit by Russian drone strike in Mykolaiv
Wednesday 4 March 2026 11:30 , Bryony Gooch Russian drone hits empty passenger train in Ukraine's south, deputy PM says
Wednesday 4 March 2026 11:00 , Bryony GoochA Russian drone hit an empty passenger train in Ukraine's southern Mykolaiv region early on Wednesday, injuring a railway worker, deputy prime minister Oleksiy Kuleba said.
He added that there was also an attempted Russian drone attack on a train operating between the eastern-central city of Dnipro and Kovel in the northwest late on Tuesday, but it was stopped by railway workers and the drone hit a few metres away from the locomotive.
Ukrzaliznytsia, Ukrainian national railways, said that Russia had intensified drone attacks on railway infrastructure, and that rolling stock was among the main targets.
It reported that 18 strikes had been recorded since the start of March, damaging 41 facilities. Locomotives, freight cars and specialised equipment used to repair infrastructure have also been targeted, the operator said, and railway depots and bridges had also come under attack this month. A Russian drone attack on a commuter train in Dnipropetrovsk region killed one person and wounded even more people on Monday.
Four experts on the future of the Ukraine-Russia war
Wednesday 4 March 2026 10:30 , Bryony Gooch We’re experts on the Ukraine war. Here’s what we think will happen next
Ukraine receives $1.5bn under new IMF deal
Wednesday 4 March 2026 10:00 , Bryony GoochUkraine has received $1.5 billion under the first tranche under the new 4-year IMF EFF program. The funds will be directed to finance priority expenditures.
“We continue implementing agreed reforms to strengthen resilience, governance, and recovery,” said Sergii Marchenko the minister of finance.
Ukraine received $1.5b as the first tranche under the new 4-year IMF EFF program. The funds will be directed to finance priority expenditures. We continue implementing agreed reforms to strengthen resilience, governance, and recovery. Grateful to @IMFNews for its support.… pic.twitter.com/thKx2QDSlx
— Sergii Marchenko (@SergiiMarchenk3) March 3, 2026
Russia accuse Ukraine of attacking Arctic Metagaz tanker in Meditteranean
Wednesday 4 March 2026 09:30 , Bryony GoochRussia's transport ministry said on Wednesday that Ukrainian naval drones were responsible for an attack on a Russian ship carrying gas - Arctic Metagaz - which caught fire in the Mediterranean a day earlier.
The ministry said the attack was "an act of international terrorism" and that all 30 crew members, who were Russian nationals, were safe. The Security Service of Ukraine did not respond to a request.
Trump's Iran attack rattles Russian hardliners who call for Putin to double down on war in Ukraine
Wednesday 4 March 2026 09:00 , Bryony GoochWhen president Donald Trump returned to the White House last year, some Russian hardliners were cautiously optimistic, hoping his unpredictability and transactional nature might benefit Moscow on Ukraine.
But his attack on Iran means many now see him as a growing threat to Russia itself and are questioning if Trump is the pragmatic, potentially pro-Moscow strongman ready to deal in realpolitik that they thought he was.
Some hawks are publicly demanding that Moscow abandon US-brokered peace talks with Ukraine and double down on fighting there instead, arguing that the US-Iran nuclear talks which preceded the US-Israeli air war were a cynical ploy which showed Washington cannot be trusted.
"The unprincipled United States is a threat to the entire world," said nationalist tycoon Konstantin Malofeyev, who is married to a top Kremlin official. "This is the United States we are trying to negotiate with regarding Ukraine. Yes, it wants a weak Europe. But it also wants a weak Russia."
Boris Rozhin, an influential war blogger who goes by the moniker, "Colonel Cassad" and has nearly 800,000 followers on the Telegram app, said Trump was a monster, driven mad by impunity.
"To seriously count on any agreements or deals with it (the monster) is either foolishness or treason," opined Rozhin.