Ust-Luga Port Explosion Kills 3 Foreigners, Media Reports

June 12, 2026 Wikimedia Commons An explosion at northwestern Russia’s port of Ust-Luga has killed three citizens of Serbia and Uzbekistan, local media reported Friday, adding that five more people were injured. Unidentified authorities told state news agencies the three deaths and five injuries occurred as a result of an accident during equipment testing at a gas complex in the Leningrad region’s Kingiseppsky District, which is home to the port. District Head Viktor Tolkachyov told the outlet 47news.ru that “investigative bodies are working” at the site without providing any details. The outlet, citing unidentified sources, reported that the accident was due to a gas explosion and that there did not appear to be signs of “sabotage.” Last month, the FSB security service said it thwarted an attempted “terrorist attack” using magnetic explosives attached to the hull of a tanker ship that docked at Ust-Luga after arriving from Belgium. According to 47news.ru, three of the five injured men aged 20, 39 and 40 were in critical condition. One of the two others, a 32-year-old man, is reportedly a native of India. The Baltic Sea port of Ust-Luga has been a regular target of Ukrainian drone attacks since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine began. Read more about: Leningrad region , Transport Sign up for our free weekly newsletter Our weekly newsletter contains a hand-picked selection of news, features, analysis and more from The Moscow Times. You will receive it in your mailbox every Friday. Never miss the latest news from Russia. Preview Subscribers agree to the Privacy Policy We sent a confirmation to your email. Please confirm your subscription. A Message from The Moscow Times: Dear readers, We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent." These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia. We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help. Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact. By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us. Once Monthly Annual Continue Not ready to support today? Remind me later. × Remind me next month Remind me Thank you! Your reminder is set. We will send you one reminder email a month from now. For details on the personal data we collect and how it is used, please see our Privacy Policy. Read more No Fat Cats in the Plane Cabin, Russia Says The Transport Ministry made its decision after an overweight cat snuck into a plane’s cabin captured the nation’s heart. Russia Launches Direct Crimea Train Ticket Sales The new routes bypass Ukraine and underline Russia’s annexation of the peninsula. Mass Raids Target St. Petersburg Bus, Taxi Drivers During Rush Hour Passengers got out of their taxis and continued their journey on foot with luggage in tow, eyewitnesses said. Russian Railways Passenger Lines to Bypass Ukraine The construction was a priority for the Kremlin and has ended a year ahead of schedule