Incident Details
The Russian cargo ship “Ursa Major” sank in the Mediterranean Sea, reportedly due to a terrorist attack, according to the shipping company Oboronloguistika.
The incident occurred on December 23, 2024, with two people missing and 14 crew members rescued and taken to the Spanish port of Cartagena.
Ship Specifications
The Ursa Major, built in 2009, is a 12,000-ton cargo ship and the largest in the Russian military logistics fleet.
It measures 142 meters in length and 23 meters in width, and was operated by a subsidiary of Oboronloguistika.
Possible Mission and Cargo
The ship’s mission and cargo are unclear, but it was reportedly carrying two port cranes and parts for the construction of icebreakers.
Some sources suggest that the ship was heading to Syria to remove equipment after the fall of Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad.
Investigation and Response
The Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has reported the incident, and an investigation is underway to determine the cause of the explosion in the engine room.
The Crisis Management Center has released a statement with details of the incident and the rescue efforts.
Ownership and Operations
The Ursa Major was owned by Oboronloguistika, a company designated by the Russian Government as the sole provider of services to the Russian Ministry of Defense for cargo transportation.
The ship was part of a secret mission by Russian President Vladimir Putin, according to some reports.