The Russian state-owned company Oboronlogistika, which operates under the country’s defense ministry, claimed on Wednesday that the sinking of its cargo ship, the Ursa Major, in international waters off Spain’s coast was a result of a “targeted terrorist attack.”
The ship went down on December 23, following three consecutive explosions onboard, according to Oboronlogistika. While no entity has claimed responsibility, the company stopped short of identifying potential perpetrators or motives behind the alleged act.
Incident Overview
- The Ursa Major, a general cargo ship listed as 124.7 meters (409 feet) long, sent a distress signal on December 23 near the southeastern coast of Spain.
- Reports of bad weather accompanied the initial distress call, with the crew indicating the ship was listing and lifeboats had been deployed.
- Spanish rescue teams managed to save 14 of the 16 Russian crew members onboard. The survivors were transported to the Spanish port of Cartagena. Two sailors remain missing.
- The ship sank after a Russian warship assumed control of the rescue operation.
Claims of a ‘Terrorist Attack’
- Oboronlogistika cited “three consecutive explosions” as the cause of the ship’s sinking but provided no evidence for its claims of a terrorist act.
- Russia’s Investigative Committee has opened a probe into potential violations of maritime transport safety regulations.
- The Russian Foreign Ministry previously stated that the explosions occurred in the engine room, though it has not corroborated Oboronlogistika’s claim of terrorism.
Sanctioned Vessel With Strategic Importance
The Ursa Major is owned by a subsidiary of Oboronlogistika, which has been sanctioned by the United States for providing logistics services to Russian-occupied Crimea and supporting military operations in Syria. The ship has reportedly been used to:
- Transport supplies for Russian troops in Syria, where Moscow maintains a naval base at Tartus.
- Deliver components for state infrastructure projects, including hatch covers for the Lider, a nuclear-powered icebreaker central to Russia’s Arctic development strategy.
The ship’s last recorded route was from Saint Petersburg to Vladivostok, carrying oversized and heavy equipment such as cranes and icebreaker parts.
Escalating Maritime Tensions
The incident follows another recent maritime disaster: the partial sinking of a Russian fuel tanker in the Kerch Strait between Russia and Crimea on December 16, which caused a significant oil spill. These back-to-back incidents have heightened tensions around Russia’s shipping operations.
Ukraine’s GUR military intelligence has also alleged that the Ursa Major has been used to transport military supplies, adding another layer of suspicion to the vessel’s activities and making it a potential target for hostile actions.
Geopolitical Implications
The alleged attack raises several questions about the security of Russian maritime operations in contested or high-risk zones:
- Sanctioned Operations: The Ursa Major’s ties to sanctioned activities in Crimea and Syria make it a contentious vessel in international waters.
- Mediterranean Tensions: Russia’s claim of terrorism and the ship’s use for military logistics might escalate tensions in the already volatile Mediterranean region.
- Investigation and Accountability: Russia has vowed to investigate the incident but may face international scrutiny over the ship’s purpose and destination.
Potential Fallout
With Russia alleging a deliberate attack, the Ursa Major incident could deepen geopolitical rifts, particularly if evidence emerges implicating specific actors. The ship’s connections to sanctioned operations and its reported dual-use role in civilian and military logistics make it a focal point for both regional security and international diplomacy.
