The Russian cargo ship Ursa Major sank on the evening of December 23, 2023, off the coast of Spain, following a dramatic explosion in its engine room. Reports confirm the vessel, owned by SK-Yug, was transporting military equipment allegedly linked to Russian efforts to evacuate arms from Syria when it encountered catastrophic failure. The ship sank between Águilas, situated in the southeast of Spain, and Oran, Algeria, triggering extensive rescue operations.
According to the Russian Foreign Ministry's Crisis Center, 'The Russian cargo ship Ursa Major sank in international waters of the Mediterranean after an explosion occurred in the engine room. Fourteen of the 16 crew members (all Russian citizens) were rescued and taken to the port of Cartagena by rescue services.' Sadly, two crew members remain unaccounted for.
The Ursa Major embarked from Saint Petersburg on December 11, having been scheduled to arrive at its intended destination of Vladivostok by January 22, 2024. Maritime monitoring services have indicated the ship was part of what has been dubbed the 'Syria Express,' which is often used to transfer supplies and military equipment to Russian bases operating within Syrian territory.
The events leading to the vessel's sinking raise questions about the nature of its cargo. While official statements indicated it was transporting civil materials, other sources suggest it might have been carrying significant military gear. Crimean Wind, a Ukrainian Telegram channel, alleged the ship was even transporting components for nuclear reactors, indicating the sensitive nature of its mission. Further complicity includes claims from Mediazona, which noted the Ursa Major was also tasked with moving cranes for the expansion of the Vladivostok port terminal.
Prior to the incident, the ship slowed significantly and began drifting, raising concerns for those monitoring it. A report from Itamilradar stated, 'The Ursa Major was the first to enter the Mediterranean... Initially, it was thought the ship had slowed to wait for the rest of the convoy; its movements seemed more indicative of a drifting ship.'
When the explosion occurred, Spanish rescue boats were dispatched to assist. The rescue missions involved the Clara Campoamor and the patrol vessel Serviola, alongside commercial ships present nearby. Their quick intervention allowed for the salvation of the majority of the crew, redirecting them to safety at the port of Cartagena.
This incident points to the potential hazards faced by military logistics at sea, particularly within volatile regions such as the Mediterranean. With the Ursa Major lost to the depths, the ramifications may extend beyond immediate human tragedy, signaling potentially greater risks for Russian naval operations.
While the exact cause of the explosion remains under investigation, speculations point to possible ties with sabotage, with Ukrainian sources being among the first to highlight the distress faced by the vessel, feeding the narrative of rising maritime tensions.
Both the rescue operations and the controversy surrounding the cargo of the Ursa Major exemplify the precarious state of international military logistics, as nations like Russia continue efforts to secure their operational capacities amid geopolitical instability.
