Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) has reported that an attempted terrorist attack has been prevented at the Ust-Luga port in the Leningrad region, involving a gas carrier that arrived from Belgium.
According to the Public Relations Center of the FSB, explosive devices were found on the gas tanker named Arrhenius. The operation was carried out jointly with the Investigative Committee, the Ministry of Defense, and the National Guard.
Preliminary findings suggest that the vessel departed from Belgium on May 20 and arrived in Ust-Luga, with a planned onward route to Samsun, Türkiye. During an underwater inspection at the port, naval magnetic-type mines were reportedly discovered.
Experts claim that the devices were industrially manufactured, each containing approximately 7 kilograms of explosives. Russian authorities have suggested that the devices may have been produced in a NATO member country.
According to the ship’s captain, the vessel had to wait during cargo operations in the Port of Antwerp before continuing its voyage to Ust-Luga.
A criminal case has been opened under charges of attempted terrorist attack and illegal circulation of explosives. Investigations are ongoing to identify those involved.
