A Russian freight ship, the Ursa Major, sank between Spain and Algeria after suffering a catastrophic explosion early on December 24, 2024. The explosion occurred within the ship's engine room, leading to its rapid sinking. According to reports from the Russian Foreign Ministry, 14 of the 16 crew members were rescued, but two remain missing.
The incident took place on international waters as the Ursa Major was reportedly en route to the Suez Canal. The ship had departed from St. Petersburg on December 11, with Vladivostok as its final destination, expected to arrive by January 22, 2025. Initially, the Ursa Major was believed to be carrying cranes necessary for enhancing port operations; nonetheless, speculation among experts points to the possibility of the vessel being involved with military evacuations from Syria.
Media outlets, including BBC and Reuters, have highlighted the ship's potential military significance. It is operated by SK-Yug, which is tied to Oboronlogistika, known for its connections to the Russian military and operations related to the Ukraine conflict. A spokesperson for the Russian Ministry confirmed the incident, stating, "An explosion occurred in the engine room," indicating the nature of the accident.
According to reports from various maritime tracking services, the victim ship was last logged at approximately 11 PM on December 23, just hours before the explosion took place. Following the distress signal sent by the crew, Spanish rescue operations were launched, involving helicopters and vessels from nearby maritime authorities.
Upon rescue, the 14 crew members were taken to Cartagena, Spain. The Spanish coast guard led the operation, with the involvement of Russian naval assets later joining the search and rescue efforts. Local reports indicate the horrifying moment when the ship began taking on water, as captured by social media during the rescue operations.
Adding to the incident's intrigue, military transportation expert Hi Sutton suggested to The Moscow Times the ship "was likely on its way to Russia's naval base in Tartus, Syria, to facilitate logistics for Russian troops." The Ursa Major has been identified as playing a role within the so-called "Syrian Express," ferrying supplies to Russian forces engaged there since 2015.
Images and videos reported on social media appear to show the Ursa Major struggling to stay afloat prior to its sinking. A voice on the clip, likely from the crew, is heard stating the crew members were able to evacuate to nearby ships, underscoring the chaos of the situation. Experts also tried to decipher the exact reasons behind the explosion, with many rumors swirling around the ship's cargo and purpose for being so close to Syria.
Further inquiries have raised questions about whether the Ursa Major was involved with carrying military resources back from Syria, particularly during this precarious political climate following the diminishing power of the Assad regime. Fears abound as to the future of Russian military presence within Syria and whether ships like Ursa Major will be called to continue supporting operations there.
Recent activities by Russia indicated strategic interests beneath the Rift of the Mediterranean. With the February 2022 invasion of Ukraine and subsequent sanctions against the Russian military, operations conducted by maritime vessels, especially those subjected to sanctions, attract heightened attention. Onlookers are left pondering the true nature of the Ursa Major's mission when it first set sail.
The tragic event of the sinking has emphasizied the risks faced by maritime operations against the backdrop of geopolitical tension. With two crew members still unaccounted for, hopes remain alive as search and rescue efforts continue. This incident raises additional concerns for safety measures within maritime logistics, especially when linked to military endeavors.
Closing remarks on this topic will likely focus on the lessons learned from the Ursa Major's catastrophic voyage and the broader geopolitical impact of such incidents on international maritime law and safety standards within the volatile Mediterranean region.
