A Russian cargo ship suspected of transporting weapons to Syria has sunk in the Mediterranean Sea between Spain and Algeria, following an explosion in its engine room, according to authorities. Two crew members remain missing, while 14 others have been rescued and taken to Spain, the Russian foreign ministry confirmed in a statement.
Vessel Operated by Russian Ministry of Defence
Named Ursa Major and built in 2009, the ship was owned by Oboronlogistika, a Russian Ministry of Defence–controlled shipping company responsible for transporting military hardware such as missiles and tanks. Oboronlogistika claims the Ursa Major was carrying heavy equipment, including large port cranes and ice-breaker parts, en route from St. Petersburg to Vladivostok.
Conflicting Reports on Cargo
Russian authorities have not offered details on what caused the blast. However, according to Ukraine’s military intelligence, the ship’s voyage was intended to shuttle weapons and personnel between the Russia-operated Syrian port of Tartus and home bases following the fall of Bashar al-Assad. This claim has not been independently verified, though previous reports have tied Russia’s so-called “ghost ships” to clandestine arms deliveries via Tartus.
Footage of the Incident
Russian media circulated video allegedly recorded on Monday by a passing vessel, showing Ursa Major heavily listing to its starboard side before sinking. Euronews reported that it could not verify the footage independently.
Backdrop of Corruption Allegations
Oboronlogistika has been under increased scrutiny. In April, Deputy Defence Minister of Russia Timur Ivanov—said to have initiated the “ghost ship” fleet—was arrested on charges of accepting large-scale bribes. In July, another Defence Ministry official, Magomed Khandayev, and businessman Igor Kotelnikov died while in custody just a day apart. Both had been implicated in corruption allegations linked to Ivanov, according to media sources.
Ongoing Investigation
While Russian authorities say the explosion in the engine room was the direct cause of Ursa Major’s sinking, the precise circumstances remain unclear. An investigation into the missing crew and the nature of the ship’s cargo is ongoing, with questions lingering about the vessel’s true mission and whether it was transporting military resources from war-torn Syria.
