A Russian cargo ship, the Ursa Major, has sunk in the Mediterranean Sea after suffering a catastrophic engine room explosion, as confirmed by Russia's foreign ministry. The vessel, which was under U.S. sanctions since 2022, went down while navigating between Spain and Algeria. Reports indicate that 14 crew members were rescued and taken to the Spanish port of Cartagena, though two remain unaccounted for.
Having departed from St. Petersburg 12 days prior, Ursa Major was reportedly en route to Vladivostok carrying two heavy cranes, each weighing 380 tons. However, this information has yet to be independently verified. The ship was near another sanctioned Russian vessel, Sparta, when it encountered its fatal dilemma. The two ships had been reported moving through the English Channel over the past week, both operating under escort amid heightened security amidst ongoing geopolitical tensions.
Ukrainian military intelligence recently suggested that Sparta was traveling to Russia’s naval base in Tartous, Syria, to transfer military assets in light of the shifting political landscape following the downfall of Bashar al-Assad. According to the Kremlin, Russia is maintaining dialogue with the new Syrian leadership regarding the status of its military facilities in the region.
Ursa Major's owner, Oboronlogistika, specializes in transporting cargo for military purposes, particularly to Tartous. However, Sparta was allegedly aimed towards Port Said in Egypt while Ursa Major was known to have been transporting not just cranes, but also 45-tonne hatch covers designated for icebreakers.
On the morning of the incident, unverified footage depicted Ursa Major heavily listing before its sinking, although the cause of the explosion remains unclear. Originally constructed in 2009, the ship faced sanctions following Russia's deepened military involvement in Ukraine. With the tragedy underscoring the risks of maritime operations in conflict zones, questions arise about the safety of maritime logistics amid ongoing geopolitical strife.
