A Russian cargo ship that sank off the coast of Spain in December 2024 may have been carrying nuclear submarine reactors destined for North Korea, according to reports. The Ursa Major, a 142-metre vessel owned by state-linked Oboronlogistics, sank 62 nautical miles off Murcia after a series of explosions.
Spain's maritime rescue service, Sasemar, responded to a distress call at 12.53pm on 23 December 2024. Crew members reported three explosions in the engine room. A Russian warship arrived at 8.07pm, took over operations, and ordered Spanish boats to withdraw. It then launched flares, which some analysts suggest may have been used to blind intelligence satellites.
CNN reported that four seismic signatures resembling underwater mines were heard after the flares. The ship sank by 11.20pm, lying at a depth of 2,500 metres. Two crew members died, and 14 were rescued. The captain later told Spanish investigators that large 'manhole covers' on board were actually nuclear reactor components similar to those used in submarines, but no nuclear fuel was carried.
Satellite images showed two blue containers weighing about 65 tonnes each on the stern. A source familiar with the investigation told CNN that the captain believed he would be diverted to the North Korean port of Rason to deliver the reactors. CNN suggested the sinking may have been a rare intervention by a Western military to prevent Russia from sending nuclear technology to North Korea.
A 50cm by 50cm hole in the hull, with metal damaged inwards, could have been caused by a supercavitating torpedo, a high-speed weapon used by the US, some NATO allies, Russia, and Iran. CNN noted a flurry of recent military activity around the wreck, including US nuclear 'sniffer' aircraft overflights.
