The Ursa Major, a Russian vessel under US sanctions since 2022, sank in the Mediterranean Sea, with fourteen crew members rescued and two missing, following a blast in its engine room.
Russian Cargo Ship Ursa Major Sinks in Mediterranean Following Engine Explosion
Russian Cargo Ship Ursa Major Sinks in Mediterranean Following Engine Explosion
After an explosion in the engine room, the Russian cargo ship Ursa Major has sunk, prompting a rescue mission for its crew members.
A Russian cargo vessel, Ursa Major, has tragically sunk in the Mediterranean Sea, specifically between Spain and Algeria, due to an explosion in its engine room, as confirmed by Russia's foreign ministry. Reports indicate that 14 crew members were rescued and taken to the Spanish port of Cartagena, although search operations continue for two crew members who remain unaccounted for.
The Ursa Major departed from St Petersburg twelve days prior, reportedly en route to Vladivostok in Russia's Far East carrying two hefty cranes, each weighing 380 tonnes. However, the actual destination could not be independently verified. Interestingly, the Ursa Major had been in proximity to another Russian vessel under sanctions, identified as Sparta, when the incident occurred; both ships were observed navigating through the English Channel last week, allegedly under protection.
Recent intelligence from Ukraine's military (HUR) suggested that the Sparta was on a mission toward Russia's naval base at Tartous, Syria, to relocate military assets following upheavals in the region. In contrast, Ursa Major's owner, Oboronlogistika, has been notably engaged in transporting cargo to Tartous, although Sparta's most recent reported destination was Port Said in Egypt.
On the eve of the incident, HUR revealed that the Sparta had encountered a mechanical failure near Portugal, though it was subsequently repaired. However, the confusion arose as Ursa Major was also colloquially referred to as Sparta III, leading to uncertainty over which vessel was implicated in the breakdown.
Details surrounding the cause of the explosion on Ursa Major remain unclear. Unverified footage has surfaced showing the ship listing severely before it ultimately sank. The Ursa Major was constructed in 2009 and was placed under sanctions following Russia's full-scale military invasion of Ukraine in 2022, largely due to its owner's involvement in military logistical operations. Oboronlogistika characterized Ursa Major as the flagship of its fleet, claiming that it was transporting 45-tonne hatch covers intended for icebreaker vessels, alongside the prominent cranes to Vladivostok's port.
