On December 4, the Russian Ministry of Transport reported that a liquefied natural gas (LNG) ship sank in the Mediterranean after being attacked by a Ukrainian naval drone on December 3. The ship was near Malta's territorial waters when it was reportedly targeted, leading to the rescue of the entire crew of 30, although two crew members suffered burns. The ship had departed from Murmansk, a port in northwestern Russia, prior to the incident.

The Russian Transport Ministry condemned the alleged attack as an act of "international terrorism" and piracy, highlighting the serious nature of the incident amid the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine. This incident marks a potential escalation in the maritime conflict as it would be the first reported attack by Ukraine on a Russian LNG vessel. As of now, Ukrainian authorities have not commented on the situation, contributing to rising tensions in the region.

This development raises concerns about the security of maritime operations and the implications for international shipping routes in the Mediterranean. If confirmed, this attack could provoke further military responses and escalation between the conflicting nations, possibly impacting global gas supply chains, particularly as Europe aims to detach itself from Russian energy dependence.