Russian cargo ship sunk off Spain carried nuclear reactors for North Korea, probe reveals
Euronews.com • • world
Key Points:
- A Russian cargo ship, Ursa Major, sank in the Mediterranean Sea in December 2024 after engine room explosions; it was carrying components for two submarine nuclear reactors likely destined for North Korea.
- Spanish investigators suspect the ship may have been deliberately sunk by a Western military using a rare supercavitating torpedo to prevent Russia from delivering advanced nuclear technology to North Korea.
- The ship, operated by a Russian Ministry of Defence-owned company under US and UK sanctions, was officially listed as carrying cranes and empty containers, but the captain revealed the cargo included nuclear reactor parts intended for North Korea.
- The sinking occurred amid growing military cooperation between Russia and North Korea, including a 2024 mutual military aid deal and North Korea's development of a nuclear-powered submarine.
- Following the incident, significant military activity was observed around the wreck site, with Russian spy vessels and US nuclear detection aircraft monitoring the area, while Spanish authorities cited high risks in recovering the ship’s data recorder.