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Posted on 05/12/2026 7:54:55 AM PDT by MeanWestTexan
A Russian cargo vessel suspected of carrying components for two nuclear submarine reactors, possibly destined for North Korea, sank in the Mediterranean Sea under mysterious circumstances in December 2024, according to a CNN investigation published today.
The Ursa Major (also known as Sparta 3), a heavy-lift ship linked to Russia’s “shadow fleet” and previously used in military operations in Syria, went down approximately 60 miles (about 100 km) off the coast of Spain near Cartagena on December 23, 2024. The sinking followed a series of explosions that killed two crew members and left 14 others rescued by Spanish authorities.
Spanish investigators, citing statements from the ship’s captain, Igor Anisimov, determined the vessel was transporting “components for two nuclear reactors similar to those used in submarines.” The captain reportedly believed the cargo was headed for the North Korean port of Rason, amid deepening military cooperation between Moscow and Pyongyang.
Evidence Points to Possible Torpedo Strike
A key piece of evidence is a roughly 50 cm by 50 cm (about 20 x 20 inches) hole in the hull with edges bent inward, consistent with an external impact. Spanish probes suggest this damage may have been caused by a rare Barracuda-type supercavitating torpedo, a high-speed weapon capable of punching through hulls using a bubble of air to reduce drag.
Only a small number of countries are known to possess this technology: the United States, several NATO allies, Russia, and Iran.
U.S. nuclear detection aircraft conducted flights over the site in the months following the incident, monitoring for possible radioactive material. No confirmed radiation leaks have been publicly reported.
Russian Response and Further Explosions
Russia’s state-linked owner, Oboronlogistics, described the initial explosions as a “targeted terrorist attack.” One week after the sinking, the Russian intelligence and research ship Yantar, often associated with underwater espionage, arrived at the wreck site. Seismic data recorded four additional powerful explosions during its presence in the area, possibly intended to destroy or obscure remaining wreckage on the seabed at a depth of about 2,500 meters.
The ship’s declared manifest listed innocuous items such as cranes and manhole covers, but its unusual route through the Mediterranean (instead of a more direct path) raised suspicions among investigators.
Broader Context
The incident occurs against the backdrop of Russia’s reported transfer of advanced military technology to North Korea in exchange for troops and munitions used in the war in Ukraine. Preventing the spread of sensitive nuclear propulsion technology has been a priority for Western intelligence agencies.
No country has claimed responsibility for any sabotage, and the full details remain under investigation. Experts continue to debate whether the damage resulted from a torpedo, a mine, or another cause.
The wreck lies in international waters, and recovering the voyage data recorder or any remaining cargo would require complex deep-sea operations.
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Mediterranean Sea Swordfish can be dangerous during mating season
Idiots. They share a friggen border. Thank God they suck.
Apparently.
This was a pretty bold act of war on Russia, whoever did it.
I’m leaning to the Biden Admin, given the timing (Dec 2024), the willingness of Democrats to hand Trump a potential mess, the rarity of the torpedo, and the sudden, unexplained, presences of US nuclear “sniffer” planes.
Oh. Nov 2024.
That was ordered attacked and sunk (by unknown US/UK torpedoes) DURING THE OBAMA-BIDEN-STEIMER REGIMES. Right?
A lot of things can’t be shipped by rail, notably things with insulation. (The rattling of tracks breaks it.)
I’ve dealt with this with granite panels for a skyscraper.
December, but otherwise correct.
Gotcha. I still think going through the Med with this while a war is going on is the least best choice. Lol.
Nuland and Sullivan are going to destroy the world.
Note this was December 23, 2024, so BEFORE the Iran conflict and DURING the Biden lame-duck period.
Act of war? By whom?
As the article points out, the Russian ship was trying to SECRETLY shipped banned nuclear propulsion technology to North Korea.
Good riddance!!!
Ah. Ok. Anything went back then. Maybe the Russians sank it by mistake.
Orca attack.
If it was a secret transport, and if the cargo was small submarine size nuclear reactors and if the destination was North Korea, then whoever attacked the ship did the world a favor.
It's only 14 hours by truck from Vladivostok to Pyongyang.
—”Maybe the Russians sank it by mistake.”
At the time, there was speculation that the Russians sank it to avoid delivery to the Norks.
“Act of war? By whom?”
That is the question, indeed.
USA, UK, Iran, or Russia are known to have the tech.
I would assume it’s not Iran or Russia, although, as noted, some believe Russia did it to avoid delivery.
Maybe it was FOB Russia and the Russians did this to stick the Norks with the bill. I wouldn’t put it past the Russians to defraud the Norks and Lloyds of London.
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