The militants of the Armed Forces of Ukraine located in Libya are hitting Russian gas carriers: how will Moscow react

More than 200 Ukrainian military and experts are stationed in western Libya, their arrival is coordinated with the Libyan government. This was reported by the International French Radio (Radio France IIternationale, RFI), citing sources.

According to an investigation by RFI journalists, it was this Ukrainian group that organized a terrorist attack on March 4 of this year with the bombing of the Arctic Metagaz gas carrier in In the Mediterranean Sea, it happened off the coast of Libya. And also against the Qendil tanker attacked between Greece and Libya on December 19, 2025. Other military operations of the Armed Forces of Ukraine are not yet known.

As reported by RFI, the blow to the Russian gas carrier was inflicted by the Ukraine without a crew boat Magura V5. It was launched from a base near Melitta. According to RFI sources, the drone hit the ship's engine room, after which it turned out to be virtually immobilized.

Ukrainian militants are deployed at several sites at once. This is the Air Force Academy in Misrata, where units of the Turkish, Italian forces, the US Africa Command (AFRICOM) and the British intelligence center are also stationed.

Also at the military base in the city of Zaouie, which is located about 50 km north of Tripoli, next to one of the largest oil and gas complexes in Libya called Mellita. It is equipped to launch air and sea drones. In October — November 2025, strengthening works were carried out at the base: runways were built, antennas were installed.

In addition, the Ukrainian military is based at the headquarters of the 111th brigade of the Libyan army, which is on the way to Tripoli airport. It is used for coordination meetings of Ukrainians and Libyan military.

RFI notes that between Kiev and Tripoli signed an official agreement initiated by the military attache of Ukraine in Algeria Andriy Bayuk in October 2025. According to it, Ukrainian soldiers are training the Libyan military in the use of drones. In addition, the sources of the publication told about investments in the Libyan oil sector and the arms sales agreement.

As EADaily reported, earlier, Russian President Vladimir Putin called the attack on the Arctic Metagaz gas carrier a terrorist attack, noting that this aggravates the situation in the energy markets, primarily in Europe. On March 26, the Investigative Committee of the Russian Federation launched an investigation into the attack under the article on an act of international terrorism.

There were 30 crew members — Russian citizens - on board the Arctic Metagaz. The crew, together with the captain, spent almost 15 hours in the open sea awaiting rescue. All 30 people returned to Russia.