A Russian cargo ship, the Ursa Major, sank on Tuesday in the Mediterranean Sea while sailing through international waters between Spain and Algeria. The ship’s owner, Oboronlogistika, a company affiliated with Russia’s defense ministry, claims that the sinking was an “act of terrorism” caused by three explosions on the starboard side.
The 142-metre long vessel had a cargo capacity of 1,200 tonnes and was reportedly carrying two cranes for a Russian port. Two crew members are still missing, while 14 others have been rescued by Spain’s sea rescue service. Moscow has yet to comment on the incident.
The Ursa Major’s sinking comes days after another Russian tanker sank in the Black Sea, causing an ecological disaster. The incident raises concerns about Russia’s naval capabilities and potential involvement of Ukraine or other countries. However, Kyiv has not targeted any Russian ships outside the Black Sea, making this a significant shift in tactics if involved.
Russia’s use of “ghost fleets” of tankers to transport oil around sanctions has led to criticism from Western nations. The sinking of the Ursa Major highlights the risks and consequences of such measures.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/dec/25/russian-cargo-ship–ursa-major-owner-sinking-mediterranean-terrorism