Russian Cargo Vessel Ursa Major Sinks in Mediterranean

The Russian cargo vessel Ursa Major sank in the Mediterranean Sea following an engine room explosion, with two of its 16 crew members still missing. The Russian Foreign Ministry confirmed that 14 crew members were safely rescued and taken to Spain. The vessel, which was previously known as Sparta III and operated by Oboronlogistika, was reportedly carrying oversized port cranes to Vladivostok, although Ukrainian intelligence suggested it may have been involved in transporting military equipment from Syria. The Ursa Major had departed from St. Petersburg on December 11 and was last tracking signals near the Spain-Algeria maritime border. The cause of the explosion remains under investigation, and the incident has raised questions about the future of Russian military operations in the region, particularly following recent political changes in Syria. Both Ursa Major and another vessel, Sparta, have been noted for their connections to transporting military cargo for the Russian Defense Ministry.