Russian ship that sank near Spain may have been carrying nuclear reactors to North Korea

Key Points:

• The Russian cargo ship Ursa Major sank off Spain’s coast in December 2024 after a series of explosions, with suspicions it was carrying nuclear submarine reactor components intended for North Korea.
• The ship, owned by state-linked Oboronlogistics, was officially transporting non-dangerous goods, but investigators found two large containers likely holding nuclear reactor parts similar to those used in submarines, though without nuclear fuel.
• Spanish authorities noted unusual military activity during the incident, including a Russian warship taking control and deploying flares possibly to disrupt satellite surveillance, followed by seismic signatures consistent with underwater blasts.
• A 50cm hole in the ship’s hull suggested the use of a supercavitating torpedo, a high-speed weapon possessed by only a few countries, indicating a possible covert military intervention to prevent nuclear technology transfer to North Korea.
• Following the sinking, US nuclear detection aircraft monitored the wreck site, and a Russian spy ship caused further explosions, while Oboronlogistics labeled the event a targeted terrorist attack; investigations by Spanish authorities continue.