A Russian floating bomb containing 2,000 tons of explosives has been reportedly found off the coast of Kent.
A Russian cargo ship, also known as a “floating bomb,” has been found off the coast of Kent. The MV Ruby cargo ship carried 20,000 tons of ammonium nitrate, an explosive commonly used in fertilizers. That’s about seven times more than the deadly 2020 Beirut port explosion that killed 218 people and injured more than 7,000.
According to the source, the Ruby was found near Margate, Florida. Local authorities ordered the ship to leave Tromsø due to concerns about its hazardous cargo and damaged condition.
The Ruby loaded cargo in Kandalaksha, Russia, on August 22 before heading to Las Palmas in the Canary Islands. On September 3, she took shelter in Tromsø to avoid a storm, but her hull, propeller, and rudder were severely damaged because she was anchored near a university and a hospital, alerting local residents.
Authorities confirmed Ruby’s presence in an official statement but did not specify that it posed an immediate explosion hazard. However, they deemed the situation “undesirable” given the severity of the ship’s cargo and its proximity to populated areas.
The Ruby is floating three kilometers in British waters north of Margate after being denied entry to multiple ports, including Denmark and Klaipeda, Lithuania.
A tugboat is towing it, awaiting permission to enter the Strait of Dover. Before proceeding, Ruby must inform authorities of her condition and potentially hazardous cargo.
Defense analyst Jens Wenzel Christophersen expressed concern about the ship’s condition and the environmental risks it poses.
Given the problems with Ruby’s damaged hull and rudder, he wondered if she should remain at sea. “This is a ship that no one wants, but no one can get rid of it,” Christophersen added.
Although the Ruby is heading to Malta, local officials have said it will not be allowed into Maltese waters unless the explosives are unloaded. The ship is owned by a company registered in Dubai and chartered by another Dubai company with ties to Russia.
Although ammonium nitrate can remain stable during transport, experts warn that it can be dangerous if not stored properly.
Chemical weapons defense expert Dan Caserta said ammonium nitrate requires specific conditions to become dangerous, and he used the Beirut disaster as a warning of what can happen if safety procedures are ignored.
The HM Coastguard regularly contacts the Ruby to monitor its movements and ensure the safety of nearby residents.
