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Russian Cargo Ship Sinks in Mediterranean Amid Claims of Terrorism
A Russian cargo ship known as the Ursa Major sank on Tuesday in the Mediterranean Sea, with its owner labeling the incident an “act of terrorism.” The sinking occurred while the vessel was traversing international waters between Spain and Algeria, and two crew members remain unaccounted for.
The Ursa Major, operated by Oboronlogistika—an entity linked to the Russian defense ministry—sustained three explosions on its starboard side prior to its sinking, according to the company. Although they characterized the event as terrorism, no details were provided regarding the suspected perpetrators.
Measuring 142 meters in length, the Ursa Major was the largest vessel within Oboronlogistika’s fleet, boasting a cargo capacity of 1,200 tonnes. The ship, alongside its owner, was subjected to U.S. sanctions in 2022 due to their connections to Russian military operations.
Spain’s maritime rescue service reported that the Ursa Major issued a distress signal on Monday morning while navigating near the southeastern coast of Spain, struggling against foul weather conditions. The crew indicated that the ship was listing, prompting the launch of a lifeboat.
Moscow has announced that 14 of the 16 crew members were rescued and transported to Spain; however, the fate of the remaining two is still uncertain. The Ursa Major was reportedly en route to Vladivostok in eastern Russia, carrying two heavy cranes destined for the port, each weighing 380 tonnes.
Russian officials have yet to issue a statement regarding the allegations of sabotage surrounding the vessel’s sinking. Meanwhile, Dmytro Pletenchuk, a spokesperson for the Ukrainian navy, remarked that Russia is grappling with “systemic problems” in maintaining its naval fleet but did not link Kyiv to the incident.
Ukraine has effectively degraded Russia’s naval power in the Black Sea through a series of drone and missile strikes, which have hindered Moscow’s naval operations over the past three years of conflict. Notably, Ukraine has not previously targeted Russian vessels outside the confines of the Black Sea; thus, any participation in the Ursa Major’s sinking would signify a considerable shift in Ukrainian military strategy.
The loss of the Ursa Major occurred shortly after a Russian oil tanker sank in the Black Sea, leading to significant environmental concerns. The Russian oil sector has faced extensive sanctions from Western nations following the Kremlin’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Consequently, Russia has increasingly relied on a “ghost fleet” of older tankers, often inadequately maintained and not fit for open waters, to bypass these sanctions and transport oil.
Source
www.theguardian.com