Liputan6.com, Jakarta - The sinking of the Russian cargo ship MV Ursa Major on December 23, 2024, off the coast of Spain, following a series of explosions, has garnered global attention.
A CNN investigative report released in May 2026 linked the incident to the alleged shipment of nuclear reactor components to North Korea.
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The Russian ship was believed to be carrying components for two nuclear reactors for submarines, sparking speculation about a secret technology transfer that could potentially violate international sanctions.
Spanish investigators suspect the ship was carrying a VM-4SG nuclear reactor housing, used on Russian submarines.
Mysterious Incident of the Russian Ursa Major Ship in Spanish Waters
The MV Ursa Major sank on December 23, 2024, approximately 60 to 62 nautical miles off the coast of Murcia, Spain, in the Mediterranean Sea.
The incident happened after the ship issued a distress call following three explosions on its starboard side, likely near the engine room.
A May 2026 CNN investigative report revealed that Spanish investigators suspected the Russian vessel was carrying components for two VM-4SG nuclear reactors.
These reactors are the type used on Russia's Delta IV-class ballistic missile submarines.
This sensitive cargo was allegedly intended to support North Korea's nuclear submarine program, which has claimed to be completing its own nuclear submarines.
Alleged Nuclear Cargo and the Russian Vessel's Secret Destination
Spanish investigators suspected the Russian vessel Ursa Major was carrying VM-4SG nuclear reactor housings, although its public manifest declared the cargo non-hazardous.
The ship's captain, Igor Anisimov, later told investigators that the vessel was carrying "components for two nuclear reactors similar to those used on submarines," although it was unclear whether any nuclear fuel was on board.
The ship's manifest listed a large "manhole cover," 129 empty containers, and two large Liebherr cranes, and stated the vessel was bound for Vladivostok, Russia.
However, investigations indicate its final destination was likely the North Korean port of Rason, which lacks the infrastructure to handle such a large cargo without specialized cranes.
Analysis of satellite imagery and the unusual configuration of the cargo hold, including a crane allegedly included to assist in the unloading of sensitive cargo at the underdeveloped North Korean facility, raised suspicions.
The Mediterranean Sea route was also unusual if its final destination was Vladivostok.
Russian Ship Sinking and Military Intervention
The MV Ursa Major began its voyage from St. Petersburg, Russia, on December 11, 2024, after previously anchoring at Ust-Luga in the Gulf of Finland.
The Russian ship sailed through the Mediterranean Sea, a questionable route for Vladivostok.
The ship was tracked by Portuguese Navy aircraft and ships as it passed through their waters, and accompanied by two Russian military vessels, the Ivan Gren and the Aleksandr Otrakovsky.
However, the Portuguese Navy stopped tracking the ship on December 22.
About four hours later, in Spanish waters, the ship slowed sharply.
Although the crew initially declared no problems, approximately 24 hours later, the ship issued a distress call after experiencing three explosions on its starboard side, likely near the engine room, killing two crew members.
The Spanish maritime rescue service (Sasemar) dispatched helicopters and rescue boats, but their efforts were hampered when the Russian warship Ivan Gren arrived.
Ivan Gren took over the operation and ordered the Sasemar vessels to withdraw.
Ivan Gren reportedly fired red flares over the area, followed by four more explosions recorded by Spain's National Seismic Network, consistent with underwater explosions. Ursa Major was declared sunk at 23:10 UTC.