Incident Overview
On December 23, 2024, the Russian-flagged cargo ship Ursa Major sank in the Mediterranean Sea approximately 62 nautical miles off the coast of Murcia, Spain. The vessel was owned by Oboronlogistics, a company linked to the Russian state. Reports indicate two crew members died and fourteen were rescued.
"Two crew members died and fourteen were rescued after the Ursa Major sank in the Mediterranean."
Timeline of Events
- The ship departed St. Petersburg on December 11, 2024, en route to Vladivostok.
- On December 22, the ship slowed in Spanish waters.
- On December 23, the Ursa Major issued a distress call at 12:53 pm UTC after veering off course.
- Spain's maritime rescue service (Sasemar) dispatched a helicopter, fast rescue boat, and tugboat.
- Crew members reported three explosions in the engine room.
- At 8:07 pm, a Russian warship arrived, took over rescue operations, and ordered Spanish boats to withdraw two nautical miles.
- According to a Spanish government document, the Russian warship launched flares over the Ursa Major.
- CNN reported that four seismic signatures (described as resembling underwater mines or quarry blasts) were detected after the flares were fired.
- The Ursa Major sank by 11:20 pm and now lies at a depth of 2,500 meters.
Cargo and Route
The ship's public manifest listed "non-dangerous merchandise," including two large cranes, 129 empty shipping containers, and two oversized items described as "manhole covers." Spanish investigators reported the presence of two large blue containers on the stern, each estimated to weigh about 65 tonnes.
The captain told Spanish investigators that the "manhole covers" were "nuclear reactor components similar to those used by submarines," but stated no nuclear fuel was being transported. A source familiar with the investigation told CNN that the captain believed he would be diverted to the North Korean port of Rason to deliver the two reactors.
Spanish media reported the sea route between St. Petersburg and Vladivostok was unusual, as the cargo would be difficult to transport overland.
Damage and Investigation
Investigators found a 50 cm by 50 cm hole in the hull with metal bent inward, suggesting an internal explosion or high-speed impact. CNN and Spanish newspaper La Verdad reported the damaged metal faced inward. A source familiar with the Spanish investigation told CNN the damage could be consistent with a "supercavitating" torpedo, a high-speed weapon reported to be possessed by the US, several NATO allies, Russia, and Iran. The Pentagon and other military organizations declined to comment or did not respond to requests.
"A source familiar with the Spanish investigation told CNN the damage could be consistent with a 'supercavitating' torpedo."
Subsequent Activity
- CNN reported a Russian spy ship, the Yantar, returned to the wreck site and conducted four further explosions at the wreck a week after the sinking.
- US WC135-R "nuke sniffer" aircraft overflew the area twice after the sinking.
- The Ursa Major was escorted through European waters by two Russian military vessels: the Ivan Gren and the Aleksandr Otrakovsky.
Official Claims
Oboronlogistics, the ship's owner, described the sinking as a "targeted terrorist attack."
Responses
Spain's interior, foreign, and defence ministries have been contacted for comment but have not provided responses at the time of reporting.