Russian Cargo Ship Sinks in Mediterranean After Explosion, Russian Foreign

MOSCOW—A tragic incident unfolded in the Mediterranean Sea as the Russian cargo ship Ursa Major sank overnight following a devastating explosion in its engine room. The Russian Foreign Ministry confirmed the news on Tuesday, revealing that two crew members remain missing. The ship, which was built in 2009, was operated by Oboronlogistika, a company affiliated with the Russian Defence Ministry. It was reportedly en route to Vladivostok, carrying two large port cranes on its deck.

Details of the Incident

The Foreign Ministry’s crisis center reported that 14 of the ship’s 16 crew members were rescued and taken to Spain. However, the fate of the two missing crew members remains uncertain. The ministry did not disclose the cause of the explosion that led to the ship’s sinking. Meanwhile, Russia’s embassy in Spain is investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident and is in contact with Spanish authorities.

Oboronlogistika and SK-Yug, the direct owner and operator of the Ursa Major, have not commented on the sinking. Both companies, along with the ship itself, were sanctioned by the United States in 2022 due to their connections to Russia’s military operations. This adds a layer of complexity to the situation, as international scrutiny intensifies.

Unverified footage surfaced showing the Ursa Major heavily listing to its starboard side, with its bow submerged in the water. The video was recorded by a passing vessel on December 23 and later published by Russia’s life.ru news outlet. Spain’s Maritime Rescue Service received a distress signal from the Ursa Major on Monday, approximately 57 miles off the coast of Almería. The service dispatched two vessels and a helicopter to the scene, where they found the ship in distress.

Rescue Operations and Aftermath

Upon receiving the distress signal, Spain’s Maritime Rescue Service quickly mobilized resources to assist the Ursa Major. A nearby ship reported poor weather conditions, a lifeboat in the water, and the Ursa Major listing dangerously to one side. The rescue operation involved two vessels and a helicopter, which successfully evacuated 14 crew members to the Spanish port of Cartagena.

After the initial rescue efforts, a Russian warship arrived at the scene to take charge of the ongoing operations. The crew members reported that the Ursa Major was carrying empty containers along with the two port cranes. The cranes were intended for installation at the port of Vladivostok, along with parts for new ice-breakers. The ship had departed from St. Petersburg on December 11 and was last tracked sending a signal on December 23, just before it sank.

The incident raises questions about the safety protocols in place for vessels operating under military contracts, especially those under international sanctions. As investigations continue, the focus will likely shift to the causes of the explosion and the implications for maritime safety in the region.