Russian Cargo Ship Ursa Major Sinks After Explosion Amid US Sanctions

The Russian cargo ship Ursa Major sank in the Mediterranean after suffering an explosion in its engine room. While 14 crew members were rescued, two are still missing. The ship, linked to military transport activities, was under US sanctions due to its involvement in delivering cargo to the Russian military.

The Ursa Major, a Russian cargo vessel that was recently sanctioned by the United States, has reportedly sunk in the Mediterranean Sea after an explosion occurred in its engine room. The incident took place as the ship was navigating between Spain and Algeria, prompting a rescue operation that successfully saved 14 crew members, although two individuals remain missing, according to Russia’s foreign ministry.

The vessel had set sail from St. Petersburg 12 days prior to the incident, with reported plans to deliver heavy cranes to Vladivostok in Russia's Far East, weighing 380 tonnes each. However, the specific destination and the nature of its cargo have not been independently verified. Prior to its sinking, Spain's maritime rescue agency, Salvamento Marítimo, had intervened to rescue the crew found stranded on a lifeboat, which was a prelude to further assistance from a Russian warship.

The Ursa Major sank shortly after being detected in the vicinity of another Russian ship, Sparta, which has also faced US sanctions. Both vessels had been observed traversing the English Channel under escort the week before. Recent reports indicated that the Sparta aimed to transport military goods from Syria back to Russia, heightening concerns over the operational integrity and safety of sanctioned Russian vessels engaging in such activities.

The cause of the explosion on the Ursa Major remains unknown. However, video evidence showed the vessel listing significantly before it sank around 01:20 GMT. Built in 2009, Ursa Major, previously known as Sparta III, had been placed under US sanctions in 2022 due to its owner's involvement in supplying the Russian military.

Moreover, the episode raises broader concerns regarding maritime safety, regulatory oversight, and the activities of ships under sanctions in volatile regions, as the global community grapples with ongoing conflicts and geopolitical tensions stemming from the Russia-Ukraine war.