A tanker in a Russian port hit by three explosions is suspected to have been damaged by “limpet mines,” according to maritime expert.
Ambrey Intelligence said the incident which struck the Koala vessel comes after other ships with “a similar trading profile” have been damaged by explosions.
The Koala is suspected to be part of Russia’s “shadow fleet,” according to some reports.
In an update, Ambrey said: “Russian authorities have released additional details regarding the explosions aboard the tanker.
“The three blasts in the aft section resulted in one hole measuring 1x0.8m and two larger holes of 4x2m in the hull.
“If confirmed, this strongly suggests that the explosions were caused by limpet mines.”
Limpet mines are magnetic devices which are attached to ships being targeted.
If confirmed, their use would point to a sabotage operation targeting Vladimir Putin’s “shadow fleet” which is being used to try to bust sanctions on oil trade with Russia.
Ukraine has carried out a series of successful maritime sabotage operations against Russian ships.
The Ambrey maritime experts said the Antigua and Barbuda-flagged tanker suffered explosions in the aft of the vessel while docked in the port of Ust-Luga, Russia.
The vessel’s 24 crew evacuated with no injuries and the vessel’s cargo tanks were reportedly not damaged.
Authorities in Leningrad, Russia reportedly described the blasts as a “man-made incident,” Ambrey added.
Finnish authorities are also monitoring the incident in preparation for a potential oil spill from the vessel, it stressed.
“Ambrey is aware of recent incidents in which vessels trading from Ust-Luga with a similar trading profile have suffered multiple explosions under the waterline at the aft,” said the security experts.
“The vessel was flying a flag of convenience and her ownership was obscure. The vessel’s behaviour aligned with Ambrey’s thresholds for a vessel highly likely to be investigated in connection with future sanctions designation.
“The vessel was not sanctioned at the time or on the Ukrainian Military Intelligence list.”
The Yantar headed off to the Mediterranean but later returned and was escorted through the Channel by HMS Somerset.
Putin’s regime is increasingly engaging in “grey warfare” including targeting of infrastructure and assassination attempts including against former double agent Sergei Skripal in Salisbury in March 2018 with the Novichok military poison.
