Libya's Defense Ministry released a statement on the 12th, clarifying that it has not authorized any party to use the Misrata military base in the country's northwest for operations that extend beyond its sovereign duties. This statement serves as a direct rebuttal to American media reports suggesting that Ukraine has been utilizing the facility to target what is described as Russia's "shadow fleet."

According to the "Libya Observer" website, the Defense Ministry's statement firmly addressed these allegations about the Misrata base being used to strike third-party forces and interests. The ministry emphasized that "no agreement, arrangement, or coordination mechanism exists that would permit foreign powers to use Libyan territory, airspace, territorial waters, or facilities to carry out hostile actions against any other country or entity."

The statement further noted that military cooperation and technical training programs with "friendly nations" are conducted strictly within approved official and legal frameworks. The Defense Ministry reiterated its unwavering commitment to safeguarding Libya's sovereignty and rejected any use of its territory for activities that "could compromise Libya's national security or diplomatic relations."

Earlier on the same day, American media cited a "Ukrainian Navy drone operator" who claimed that their unit had been using a military base in the Misrata region of Libya as an operational hub. The alleged purpose of these operations was to attack the "shadow fleet" that Western nations accuse of helping Russia evade sanctions and export oil. As of now, the Ukrainian government has not issued any official response to these reports.