New Delhi, April 3 -- The operation to tow a damaged Russian tanker that has been drifting in the Mediterranean has failed due to harsh weather conditions, Libyan authorities said Thursday.

The Arctic Metagaz, which was damaged in a suspected sea drone attack in March, is part of Russia's so-called shadow fleet transporting fossil fuels in violation of international sanctions over Moscow's war on Ukraine.

The tanker, which is carrying liquefied natural gas, was being towed to a safe zone off the town of Zuwara on Libya's western coast in an operation last week, according to Libya's coast guard.

However, Libya's Ports and Maritime Transport Authority said the towing operation failed at 4 a.m. local time on Thursday due to "harsh" weathe...