Russian Ship That Sank Off Spain Carried Nuclear Reactors Destined for North Korea, Investigators Say
Spanish investigators say the Russian ship from the “shadow fleet” of Moscow, the Ursa Major, which sank off spain on December 23, 2024, was carrying a classified strategic cargo – two VM-4SG nuclear reactors. The information cited classified reports that the cargo was destined for North Korea.
The Russian cargo ship Ursa Major, translated as the Big Bear, sank in the Mediterranean Sea in December 2024, and a Spanish newspaper later reported that the vessel was carrying classified, strategic cargo.The ship was owned by a US-sanctioned Russian Defense Ministry logistics company called Oboronlogistika. It sank on 23 December 2024 off the coast of Spain after an explosion in its engine room. Two crew members disappeared and 14 were rescued.
the ship’s owner said it was carrying two large port cranes to Vladivostok. However, Spanish newspaper La Verdad reported on December 28, 2025 that the ship was carrying two hidden Soviet-era naval reactor pressure vessel hulls hidden under blue tarps. The reactors were in uncharged casings, meaning they did not pose an immediate radiological hazard, but were strategically critical components used in submarine propulsion. The cargo was destined for North Korea.
The sinking of the ship
The Russian cargo ship “Ursa Major” sank in international waters, reports the Spanish publication La Verdad. Unconfirmed video footage showing the Russian vessel listed sharply to the right with its bow much lower in the water than usual was captured on December 23 by a passing naval vessel and published on the Russian news site life.ru. Videos were also shared by many profiles on the X social network showing the vessel sinking.
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A Russian ship, Ursa Major, sank off the coast of Spain after an explosion. The cargo reportedly included nuclear icebreaker reactor hatches and two port cranes with a 120-ton capacity, en route to Vladivostok. 14 crew members were rescued, 2 are missing. https://t.co/AqTF
Russian Cargo Ship “Ursa Major” Experiences Issues While Awaiting Russian Warships Near Algeria
Recent reports indicate that the Russian cargo ship Ursa major (IMO: 9538892) encountered difficulties while positioned north of Oran, Algeria, appearing to await the arrival of the russian warship Sparta (IMO: 9268710) and accompanying vessels – an Ivan Gren-class landing ship and a Ropucha-class landing ship. https://twitter.com/MT_Anderson/status/1871218816363225325
Initial tracking data suggested the Ursa Major was destined for Vladivostok, Russia, after a prior stop in Tartus, Syria. However, the ship’s current position and reported drifting suggest a significant problem. Satellite imagery confirmed the Ursa Major was awaiting the Russian warships as of December 23, 2024. https://twitter.com/MT_Anderson/status/1871218816363225325
The Ursa Major is operated by SK-Yug,a company under the umbrella of “Oboronlogistika,” a Russian logistics firm. Both Oboronlogistika and SK-Yug have declined to comment on the situation, according to Reuters. https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/russian-cargo-ship-drifts-off-algeria-after-report-crew-evacuated-2024-12-24/
Spanish news outlet El Espanol reported that the crew of the Ursa Major was evacuated to the Spanish port of cartagena, with assistance from multiple vessels, including a Spanish Navy ship. https://www.elespanol.com/defensa/20241224/carguero-ruso-varado-algeria-evacuados-cartagena/768499998_0.html
The nature of the issue affecting the Ursa Major remains unclear, but the circumstances raise questions about the coordination and purpose of the rendezvous with the Russian warships.
date:2024-12-29 17:56:00