A Russian ship sank in the Mediterranean after an explosion, carrying nuclear cargo. Watch the crash video and see the map of the incident.

A Russian cargo ship that suffered distress in the Mediterranean Sea has sunk. The cause of the shipwreck was an explosion.

This is reported by the publication El Espanol. According to their information, the incident occurred between Agilas (Spain) and Oran (Algeria), involving a vessel named Ursa Major.

It is worth noting that on December 23, the GUR reported a malfunction of the cargo ship Sparta in the Mediterranean Sea. It is likely that this is the same vessel. As explained by "Krymsky Veter," the Ursa Major was previously known as Sparta III.

As journalists report, the explosion occurred in the ship's engine room on December 23. After that, its crew sent a distress signal. It is reported that at the time of the wreck, the Ursa Major was allegedly carrying empty containers. Meanwhile, "Krymsky Veter" claims that on board there were two hatches for nuclear reactors and two port cranes. The vessel left the port of Saint Petersburg on December 11, and it was officially scheduled to arrive in Vladivostok on January 22.

14 crew members have been rescued, while two others are missing. As reported by the publication "Mediazona," the exact location of the shipwreck is at coordinates 36-27.50N 000-53.44W.

Currently, a video has already surfaced online showing the Ursa Major sinking.

What is known about Ursa Major

The "Ursa Major" vessel was operated by a sanctions-hit subsidiary of the Russian defense company "Oboronlogistika". It was a key element of the Russian supply route to Tartus, Syria, the base of the Russian Navy in the Eastern Mediterranean. In May 2022, the U.S. Department of the Treasury included the heavy vessel in a sanctions package.

The Telegram channel "Krymsky Veter" clarifies that initially it was stated that Ursa Major was heading to Syria for the evacuation of Russian equipment. However, it later emerged that the ship was en route to Vladivostok. The bulk carrier was transporting port cranes for a terminal in Vladivostok as part of the development of the Northern Sea Route. It was traveling from St. Petersburg to Vladivostok, passing through the Strait of Gibraltar.

Recall that we previously reported that the third Russian tanker "Volgoneft" sent a distress signal.