Sinking of the Ursa Major: Allegations of Nuclear Smuggling to North Korea

The Russian cargo ship Ursa Major sank off the coast of Cartagena, Spain, on December 23, 2024, under circumstances that have raised significant international concern. Spanish investigators allege that the vessel was transporting undeclared components for two VM-4SG nuclear reactors, likely bound for North Korea. The ship, part of Russia's so-called "shadow fleet," reportedly sustained damage consistent with an external strike, possibly from a supercavitating torpedo.

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• December 21, 2024: Spanish maritime controllers detected erratic movements from the Ursa Major, which began to lose speed and alter course.

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• December 22, 2024: The ship issued a distress signal.

Russian dry cargo ship, which sank last year off the coast of Spain, could have been carrying nuclear reactor parts for North Korea

• December 23, 2024: Spanish rescue units found the Ursa Major heavily listing and evacuated 14 crew members, while two engineers were reported missing. The ship sank shortly thereafter.

Russian dry cargo ship, which sank last year off the coast of Spain, could have been carrying nuclear reactor parts for North Korea

Spanish authorities concluded that the Ursa Major was carrying two large, undeclared containers, each weighing approximately 65 tons, which were identified as reactor casings. The cargo was assessed to be destined for Rason, North Korea, a port city lacking the infrastructure to handle such heavy equipment without specialized cranes, which were also found onboard. The unusual maritime route from St. Petersburg to Vladivostok via the Mediterranean raised suspicions about the true nature of the shipment.

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The investigation revealed a hull breach on the Ursa Major, with edges bent inward, indicating an external impact. Spanish seismographs recorded underwater explosions consistent with detonations of 20 to 50 kilograms of TNT around the time of the sinking. The captain's initial claims of mechanical failure were contradicted by evidence suggesting an attack. Russian authorities labeled the incident as terrorism, attributing the sinking to explosions in the engine room.

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Following the sinking, the Russian military ship Ivan Gren arrived at the scene, demanding control and launching flares, actions interpreted by Spanish officials as attempts to obscure satellite monitoring. Russia has accused Spain of overstepping its authority, while Spanish officials maintain that their actions adhered to international maritime law.

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Critics of the Russian government's involvement in the incident point to the broader implications of military cooperation between Moscow and Pyongyang, particularly in the context of nuclear proliferation. NATO officials, including Mark Rutte, have expressed concerns that such developments could destabilize the Korean Peninsula and threaten U.S. interests.

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• "The ship was already sunk, but the nightmare was not over." — Óscar Villar, Cartagena maritime captain

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• "In return for troops and weapons, Russia is providing North Korea with support for its missile and nuclear programs." — Mark Rutte, NATO head

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The international community is closely monitoring the situation, particularly regarding the potential implications of Russian support for North Korea's military capabilities. Investigations into the incident continue, with questions lingering about the extent of Russia's involvement in nuclear technology transfers to North Korea.

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