A Russian cargo ship, the Ursa Major, sank after experiencing three explosions, which its owner claims were acts of terrorism. The incident occurred on December 23, 2024, leading to the vessel going down early the next day about 57 miles off the coast of Almería, Spain.
The Ursa Major, owned by Oboronlogistika, part of the Russian Defense Ministry, had been carrying two giant port cranes, heavy hatch covers, and empty containers at the time of its sinking. Out of the 16 crew members aboard, two remain missing, prompting urgent searches by the Spanish Maritime Rescue Service.
Reportedly, the ship was targeted during its travel from St. Petersburg to Vladivostok, having recently called at Tartous, Syria. The cargo ship was placed under U.S. sanctions due to its connections with the Russian military after the invasion of Ukraine.
The sequence of events unfolded as the Ursa Major sent out its distress signal, following which Spanish authorities dispatched two vessels and a helicopter to assist. The crew's accounts detailed three consecutive explosions on the starboard side of the ship occurring at approximately 10:50 AM Moscow time, causing it to take on significant water.
Oboronlogistika maintains the ship was not overloaded, adding to their assertion of the sinking being due to foul play. "Three consecutive explosions took place on the ship before it began taking on water," the company cited, as they investigate the cause behind the ship’s distress and subsequent sinking.
While European and Russian maritime authorities handle the wreckage site, the Russian Foreign Ministry confirmed the explosion's occurrence, stating, "The ship sank after an explosion in the engine room.” This phrasing lends credence to the company’s earlier claims of terrorism, but no official evidence linking any group or individuals to the incident has come forth.
The incident is notable not only due to its dramatic nature—shipwrecks from explosions aren't common—but also because of the potential geopolitical ramifications. The Ursa Major's sinking could escalate tensions, drawing scrutiny on maritime security and the threat of terrorism at sea.
The Ursa Major's last known position was relayed just before it sank, showcasing its precarious situation between Algeria and Spain. This geographic serving of trouble makes it clear how quickly conditions can shift on the high seas, especially for vessels suspected of carrying sensitive cargo involved with military operations.
It remains to be seen what follow-up actions Russia will take concerning both the incident and the missing crew members. Ukrainian and Western observers might interpret this incident as another aspect of the contentious maritime dynamics surrounding Russia’s military logistics.
With investigations still pending, the underwater and geopolitical narratives behind the Ursa Major’s sinking highlight the complex interplay of commerce, military action, and maritime safety. Understanding these events could be key to predicting future military movements across the Mediterranean and beyond.
For now, the fate of the two missing crew remains uncertain as the search efforts continue. Meanwhile, attention lingers on the broader questions the incident raises about terrorism at sea and the vulnerability of commercial maritime routes.
More information may emerge as authorities sift through the wreckage and statements from the various stakeholders, but such incidences only stress the importance of maritime security concerns, especially at this global juncture.
