A Russian cargo ship named Ursa Major sank in the Mediterranean Sea overnight following a powerful explosion in its engine room, leaving two crew members missing, the Russian Foreign Ministry confirmed on Tuesday. The vessel, linked to Russia’s Defence Ministry, was en route to Vladivostok carrying two massive port cranes when the incident occurred.
Explosion and Rescue Efforts
The explosion, which occurred on Monday evening, caused the ship to list heavily to its starboard side before sinking. Of the 16 crew members on board, 14 were rescued and transported to the Spanish port of Cartagena, while two remain unaccounted for.
Spain’s Maritime Rescue Service, which responded to the distress signal, deployed two vessels and a helicopter to assist with the rescue. A nearby ship reported poor weather conditions and spotted a lifeboat in the water as the Ursa Major struggled to stay afloat.
Russian and Spanish Authorities Investigate
The Russian embassy in Spain is investigating the circumstances of the sinking and is in communication with Spanish authorities. The cause of the explosion in the engine room has not yet been determined.
Unverified video footage published on Russia’s life.ru news outlet shows the Ursa Major listing severely, with its bow submerged lower than usual. The ship was last tracked approximately 57 miles off the coast of Almería, Spain.
Sanctions and Ownership
The Ursa Major, previously known as Sparta III, was operated by Oboronlogistika, a company under Russia’s Defence Ministry, and owned by SK-Yug, another entity tied to military construction projects. Both companies, along with the ship itself, were sanctioned by the United States in 2022 for their connections to Russia’s military operations.
Cargo and Mission
Oboronlogistika stated that the ship was carrying specialized port cranes destined for the Russian port of Vladivostok, as well as parts for new icebreakers. However, the ship’s route has raised questions. While the Ursa Major declared its next destination as Vladivostok upon departing St. Petersburg on December 11, its position in the Mediterranean has led to speculation about a potential alternate mission.
Broader Context: Russian Maritime Operations
The incident comes amid heightened scrutiny of Russian maritime activity. Ukraine’s HUR military intelligence service reported that another Russian cargo ship, Sparta, experienced temporary technical issues off the coast of Portugal before reportedly continuing its journey to Syria to collect military equipment and ammunition.
While the Ursa Major’s stated mission aligns with logistical operations, the presence of Russian military-linked vessels in contested regions like the Mediterranean and Syria often attracts international attention.
Unanswered Questions
The sinking of the Ursa Major leaves several key questions unanswered, including the exact cause of the explosion and the ship’s ultimate destination. As investigations by Russian and Spanish authorities unfold, the incident underscores the risks and complexities surrounding maritime operations in politically sensitive regions.
