A Russian-owned cargo ship, the Ursa Major, sank in the Mediterranean after what Russia has described as a “terrorist act.” The incident occurred on December 23, 2024, when the vessel, owned by the Russian defense ministry’s Oboronlogistika, was hit by three explosions while in international waters off Spain. Despite the attack, 14 of the 16 crew members were rescued, with two still missing.
The ship had sent a distress call on Monday after it began taking on water, prompting a rapid response from Spain’s rescue teams. The crew was evacuated, and a Russian warship took over the operation, but the ship eventually sank overnight. Although the Russian authorities have labeled the event a terrorist attack, they did not provide specific details or evidence to identify the perpetrators or motive behind the blast.
The Ursa Major is a 124.7-meter general cargo ship, which also operates under civilian transport roles. This incident is being investigated amid growing tensions, but no one has claimed responsibility for the attack as of yet.
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