A Russian cargo ship, known as Ursa Major, has reportedly sunk in the Mediterranean after suffering an explosion in its engine room, as confirmed by the Russian Foreign Ministry. The ship, which had been en route from St. Petersburg to Vladivostok, was last seen listing heavily before it sank overnight. The incident occurred between the coasts of Spain and Algeria, and out of the sixteen crew members onboard, fourteen were rescued and safely brought to the Spanish port of Cartagena, while two remain unaccounted for.
According to sources, Ursa Major departed St. Petersburg around twelve days prior to the incident, carrying significant cargo, including two heavy port cranes weighing 380 tonnes each. However, independent confirmation of these details has not surfaced. The Spanish maritime rescue agency confirmed earlier that fourteen crew members were discovered on a life raft, and soon after, a Russian warship arrived to coordinate the rescue efforts.
Before its sinking, Ursa Major was reportedly operating in close proximity to another Russian vessel known as Sparta, which is also under U.S. sanctions. Both ships were seen moving together through the English Channel last week. Ukrainian military intelligence indicated that Sparta’s mission was to transfer military equipment from Syria, specifically to Russia's naval base at Tartous, amidst political changes in Syria. The Kremlin has communicated with the new Syrian leadership about the future role of their military installations.
Notably, Ursa Major was placed under U.S. sanctions in 2022 due to its owner's links to military logistics for Russia. Its owner, Oboronlogistika, has been known for its operations transporting cargo to Tartous, a key military hub. As recent events unfolded, the Sparta encountered issues off the Portuguese coast but managed to restore its functionalities, leading to questions regarding the credibility of reported ship conditions.
While the specific cause of the engine room explosion that led to the sinking remains unclear, a video recorded by the tanker Ross Sea captured the Ursa Major in distress hours prior to its disappearance. The Russian cargo ship, launched in 2009, was characterized by its role in transporting military-related cargo, raising ongoing safety and geopolitical concerns in the region.
Reports by Spanish and international media have highlighted the fragmented situation amidst ongoing maritime challenges, further elucidating the complexities of operations involving sanctioned vessels amidst global tensions.
