Sanctioned Russian vessel sinks, two missing, after explosion
Two seafarers are missing and 14 rescued after engine room explosion sunk ship
www.lloydslist.comHere’s the latest I can confirm based on recent public reporting:
- There have been long-running reports about the Russian cargo ship Ursa Major sinking in the Mediterranean after an onboard explosion, with initial details placing the incident between Spain and Algeria in late December 2024. Some reports note 14 crew rescued and 2 missing, but exact casualty details have varied as investigations progressed.[1][2]
- Subsequent sources over 2025-2026 have continued to reference the Ursa Major in the context of sanctions and investigations into undeclared cargo, with discussions of the vessel’s route and ownership tied to Oboronlogistika and Russia’s shadow fleet. These narratives include speculation about the wider geopolitical implications of the loss and its cargo, though official confirmation has varied by outlet.[4][5][1]
- The vessel’s status after sinking has been consolidated in some trackers as “sunk” with no active AIS position, while other reports mention related vessels and surveillance ships operating in the western Mediterranean near the sinking site. This has contributed to a continuing but inconclusive public record through 2025.[3][5]
If you’d like, I can pull the very latest updates from reliable outlets and summarize any official statements or investigations as they’re released. For a quick, concrete snapshot, I can also build a brief timeline of key events and map the reported locations.