The Ursa Major departed from St. Petersburg 12 days prior and was reportedly on its way to Vladivostok, carrying two heavy cranes. Although the ship's owner claims the intended destination was Vladivostok, independent verification of this claim remains pending. Prior to its sinking, Spain's maritime rescue agency confirmed that 14 crew members were found in a lifeboat, while a Russian warship arrived for additional rescue operations.
The Ursa Major was sailing in the vicinity of another Russian vessel, Sparta, both of which are subject to U.S. sanctions. Reports emerged earlier that the Sparta was headed to Syria's Tartous, ostensibly to transport military equipment. It was also noted that the Ursa Major was previously known as Sparta III, creating some confusion in the reporting, especially as the Sparta faced difficulties in the English Channel shortly before the Ursa Major's disaster.
The explosion's cause remains unknown, although visual evidence captured from the tanker Ross Sea depicted the Ursa Major listing severely before its eventual sinking at approximately 01:20 GMT on December 23rd. Registering as a key component of maritime operations supporting the Russian military, the Ursa Major was sanctioned by the U.S. following Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Described by its owners as the flagship of their fleet, the ship was transporting crucial equipment for operations in Vladivostok.
The Ursa Major was sailing in the vicinity of another Russian vessel, Sparta, both of which are subject to U.S. sanctions. Reports emerged earlier that the Sparta was headed to Syria's Tartous, ostensibly to transport military equipment. It was also noted that the Ursa Major was previously known as Sparta III, creating some confusion in the reporting, especially as the Sparta faced difficulties in the English Channel shortly before the Ursa Major's disaster.
The explosion's cause remains unknown, although visual evidence captured from the tanker Ross Sea depicted the Ursa Major listing severely before its eventual sinking at approximately 01:20 GMT on December 23rd. Registering as a key component of maritime operations supporting the Russian military, the Ursa Major was sanctioned by the U.S. following Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Described by its owners as the flagship of their fleet, the ship was transporting crucial equipment for operations in Vladivostok.
