Ukraine’s Activity in Libya Revealed Amid Tensions

In early March, Russia accused the Ukrainian military of conducting a significant drone strike against tankers from a covert base on Libya’s coast. A recent report from French media outlet RFI highlighted that Ukraine indeed has a role in western Libya, deploying over 200 personnel across three different sites.

On March 3, a Russian tanker named Arctic Metagaz, part of a fleet evading Russian sanctions, was targeted by a drone while it was navigating the Mediterranean Sea. This ship was reportedly carrying 60,000 tons of liquefied natural gas (LNG) from Murmansk, Russia, to Port Said, Egypt.

The vessel’s 30 crew members were quickly evacuated as the ship was left adrift, exhibiting a breach near its waterline. Libya’s National Oil Corporation (NOC) dispatched tugboats to secure the compromised tanker, expressing concerns that gas might leak into the sea or that it could collide with offshore oil rigs situated in the Gulf of Sidra. By Tuesday, the tanker remained adrift, with a Libyan diving team attempting to assist; the Libyan navy also positioned a patrol boat to caution other vessels about the situation.

The Russian government swiftly accused Ukraine, with backing from British intelligence, of launching the attack from Libya’s coastline. Reports surfaced indicating that Ukraine has a presence in western Libya under a covert agreement inked last October with the Tripoli government. Notably, Libya currently has two rival governments, with the other located in Benghazi.

According to RFI, this October agreement permits Ukrainian forces to operate from strategic locations, including the Air Force Academy in Misrata and a naval base in Zawiya. There’s also a coastal area under renovation, aimed at strengthening fortifications and developing an airstrip.

In exchange for these operational bases, Ukraine committed to training the Libyan military, especially in drone usage. They also hold the potential to sell arms to the Tripoli government or invest in Libya’s oil sector.

Moreover, RFI disclosed that a Ukrainian-built Magura V5 drone, an unmanned surface vehicle, was involved in the drone strike against the tanker. The Magura V5, a remote-controlled vessel packed with explosives, has been notably effective in targeting Russian naval assets in the Black Sea.

While Ukrainian officials confirmed the attack, they indicated that it was the second known incident involving Ukrainian forces in Libya—with the first being an oil tanker from the Shadow Fleet that was struck while flying between Greece and Libya, colliding with a drone launched from the vicinity of Misrata.

On Tuesday, the Associated Press reported that two Libyan officials corroborated the RFI findings, adding that the arrangement between Ukraine and the Tripoli government had “gained the support of Western countries, including the United States.”

Massad Boulos, an adviser for African affairs in the US, endorsed the Ukrainian deal as part of an initiative to maintain the current Prime Minister Abdelhamid Dbeibah in power in Tripoli while balancing the influence of Khalifa Haftar, a prominent figure in eastern Libya. The aim appears to be a united governance over the country.

Ukraine’s involvement in Libya seems aimed at curtailing Russian influence until plans for unification come to fruition. The Associated Press pointed out that personnel from the US, Turkey, Italy, and Britain are also present at the Air Force Academy in Misrata, suggesting they are aware of Ukraine’s operations there.

Interestingly, both the Ukrainian and Libyan governments have refrained from commenting publicly on the RFI report.