A Russian cargo ship named Ursa Major sank off the southeast coast of Spain in December 2024 under mysterious circumstances. Reports suggest it may have been carrying components for nuclear submarines destined for North Korea. The 142-meter vessel was on a journey from St. Petersburg to Vladivostok when it encountered problems about 62 nautical miles from Murcia.
On December 23, Ursa Major signaled distress in the afternoon. By the time Spanish rescue operations began, the ship was already listing significantly. Crewmembers reported three explosions in the engine room just before the rescue efforts were complicated by the arrival of a Russian warship. This ship took control of the situation, pushing Spanish vessels back and launching flares that possibly aimed to obscure satellite surveillance.
Despite officially carrying “non-dangerous” goods like shipping containers and cranes, the nature of its cargo raised suspicions. The captain, during questioning, described the manhole covers onboard as nuclear reactor components, though he insisted there was no nuclear fuel on board. Investigators noted large blue containers on the ship that seemed too cumbersome for overland transport through Central Asia, adding to their concerns about the ship’s true mission.
Intriguingly, some experts believe the Ursa Major incident could showcase military intervention efforts to curb Russia’s support of North Korea, especially as relations between these two nations intensified following North Korean troop assistance to Russia in its Ukraine invasion.
A key piece of evidence is a 50cm hole found in the vessel’s hull. This damage could indicate a supercavitating torpedo, a high-tech weapon primarily held by a few countries, including the U.S. and Russia. Analysts suspect this could explain the sudden slowdown of the ship before it sank.
Since the sinking, U.S. military aircraft specializing in nuclear detection has flown over the wreck, suggesting ongoing concerns about what might have been lost in the incident. Moreover, a Russian spy ship reportedly set off additional explosions in the area shortly after.
According to a report by Oboronlogistics, the company that owned the Ursa Major, they described the sinking as a “targeted terrorist attack.” However, Spanish officials haven’t confirmed these allegations.
The Ursa Major’s fate remains a perplexing puzzle, blending elements of international intrigue and military strategy. The discussion around it reflects ongoing tension regarding nuclear proliferation and the secretive nature of military logistics.
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