Magnetic mines were discovered on the tanker Arrhenius at Russia’s Ust-Luga port, according to the Investigative Committee. The mines, identified as made in a NATO country, were found by divers inspecting the vessel, which had arrived from Antwerp to load liquefied petroleum gas.
In response to recent sabotage incidents targeting its energy infrastructure, Russia has heightened security measures at its ports. A NATO official denied any involvement in mining tankers.
Last year, following attacks on four oil tankers, Russia initiated inspections of ships in its ports. Notably, the Suezmax tanker Koala experienced an engine room explosion and ran aground at Ust-Luga in February 2025.
Svetlana Petrenko, a spokesperson for the Investigative Committee, confirmed that the mines were deactivated and stated that the Arrhenius, managed by Maple Mariner Holding in the UAE and flagged in Liberia, was scheduled to depart for Turkey’s Samsun. Initial investigations suggested that the mines could not have been placed in Russia’s territorial waters.
Share it now
