Summary

The Russian cargo ship Ursa Major sank in the Mediterranean between Spain and Algeria after an engine room explosion.

Fourteen crew members were rescued, but two remain missing.

The ship, sanctioned by the U.S. in 2022 for transporting cargo to Russia’s military, was reportedly en route to Vladivostok carrying two cranes and other equipment. Its exact destination remains unconfirmed.

The incident occurred near the Sparta, another sanctioned Russian ship linked to transporting military equipment from Syria. The cause of the explosion on Ursa Major is still unknown.