Is Ukraine Really Using Libya's Misrata Base to Attack Russian Ships?

Libya confirmed on Saturday that it does not permit any external parties to use the Misrata base to launch attacks, denying a report by the American network CNN claiming that Ukrainian drones are being launched from the military base in northwestern Libya to strike Russian tankers in the Mediterranean Sea.

The Libyan Ministry of Defense stated in a statement that it "has monitored media reports containing allegations about the use of the Misrata military base as a launching point for military operations targeting foreign parties or interests."

Misrata Base and the Russian-Ukrainian War

CNN reported, citing an Ukrainian source, that operators of Ukrainian drones have been deployed in northwestern Libya since late 2025.

It added, based on another source, that the Misrata military base is being used as a "launch point" for drones targeting Russian shadow fleet tankers in the region, in exchange for training provided to Libyan forces.

The Libyan Ministry of Defense stated without naming CNN directly that it "categorically denies the existence of any agreement, arrangement, or coordination that permits the use of the Misrata military base, or any national military facility, as a platform for launching attacks or conducting military operations of any kind outside the scope of Libya’s sovereign duties."

Earlier in March, Libya’s Port and Maritime Transport Authority announced that the Russian tanker "Arktik Metagaz," carrying liquefied natural gas, suffered explosions followed by a massive fire that led to its complete sinking north of the port of Sirte.

However, Russia’s Ministry of Transport stated that the attack on the tanker was carried out from the Libyan coast using maritime drones belonging to the Ukrainian Navy.