NATO-Made Mine Found on Gas Carrier Docked in Russia; Terrorism Case Opened

Russian investigators announced the discovery of a magnetic mine attached to the hull of a gas carrier ship that arrived from Belgium. The explosive device, identified as being produced in a NATO member state, was found on the vessel Arrhenius when it docked at the Ust-Luga port in Russia's Leningrad region.

Federal Security Service (FSB) agents, working alongside military and National Guard units, successfully neutralized the mine. Following the incident, Russia's Investigative Committee launched a criminal case on charges of attempted terrorism. The ship had traveled from Antwerp, Belgium, to Ust-Luga for refueling, with its final destination listed as Samsun, Turkey.

According to the ship's representatives, the Arrhenius arrived in Russia several days behind schedule. The captain stated that the vessel was delayed in Antwerp for about a day and a half due to a port workers' strike before its departure. Russian investigators indicated that initial findings suggest the mines were not attached within Russian territorial waters.

The discovery occurs against a backdrop of escalating tensions between Russia and NATO, particularly concerning Ukrainian drone activity near Russia's northwestern regions. The incident adds a significant security concern to the ongoing geopolitical friction.