The Ursa Major, a Russian cargo ship, sank on December 23, 2024, following a catastrophic explosion in its engine room, according to reports from the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The startling incident transpired between Águilas, Spain, and Oran, Algeria, leaving two members of the 16-member crew unaccounted for, with 14 confirmed rescued.
The Ursa Major was not just any cargo ship; constructed in 2009, it belonged to Oboronlogistika, a company closely associated with the Russian Ministry of Defense, which operates under significant international sanctions. The vessel was transporting heavy port cranes and hatch covers intended for icebreakers to Vladivostok when disaster struck.
On the day of the incident, the ship issued its last distress signal around 23:04 (local time) on December 22, leading to immediate rescue efforts by multiple vessels, including Spain's seawater pollution control ship, Clara Campoamor, and naval patrol ship, Serviola. Subsequent assistance came from the Norwegian multipurpose vessel Oslo Carrier III and the Russian roll-on/roll-off ship, Sparta, which took charge of the rescue operations.
Eyewitness reports, along with images purportedly captured by passing vessels, indicated the Ursa Major listing heavily before it sank, making the rescue mission urgent. The Spanish rescue services acted quickly, with the Draco rescue tug, alongside patrolling ships, facilitating the evacuation of the crew.
Information from Ukrainian military intelligence, as reported by various local media outlets, added another layer of complexity to the sinking. It was suggested the Ursa Major had been dispatched to the Mediterranean to transport military supplies, potentially including arms, from the Syrian port of Tartous back to Russia. This perspective ties the incident to broader military logistics and activities by the Russian Defense Ministry.
Since its departure from Saint Petersburg on December 11, the ship had made its way toward Vladivostok, prompting speculation from analysts about its ultimate mission. Reports revealed Oboronlogistika had been involved with "phantom ships," which are vessels used for covert military operations, particularly those supplying the Syrian regime under Bashar al-Assad.
Oboronlogistika’s connection with the Russian military and the cargo transported creates questions about the legality and safety of such operations, especially under current sanction regimes imposed against Russian defense contractors.
Media outlets highlighted how the sinking of the Ursa Major could reflect the troubled state of the Russian commercial fleet, which has faced various difficulties recently. The incident follows shortly after three Volgonetf tankers' troubles, including one breaking apart just days before the Ursa Major incident.
While investigations are still pending to ascertain the causes of the explosion, the Russian authorities are reportedly examining the circumstances surrounding the sinking, as noted by their communications through the embassy in Spain. This incident serves as yet another reminder of the precarious nature of operations tied to military logistics and the unforeseen dangers of maritime transport.
Search and rescue operations continue to locate the missing crew members, and the Russian Ministry's crisis reaction unit remains engaged with Spanish authorities to secure their safe return.
