The mystery of the sinking of the Russian ship in the Mediterranean

2026-05-12 15:12:25Kosova&Bota SHKRUAR NGA REDAKSIA VOX

The mystery of the sinking of the Russian ship in the Mediterranean

A Russian cargo ship has sunk under still unclear circumstances in the Mediterranean Sea, while investigations published by CNN raise suspicions that it could be transporting nuclear reactor components to North Korea.

The ship “Ursa Major”, also known as “Sparta 3”, sank on December 23, 2024 about 100 kilometers off the coast of Spain, after a series of mysterious explosions. According to the report, the naval vessel may have been carrying two nuclear reactors similar to those used in Russian submarines.

Spanish authorities have confirmed that the ship's Russian captain told investigators that the cargo included "components for two nuclear reactors", although he was unable to confirm whether they contained nuclear material.

According to the investigation, the final destination may have been the port of Rason in North Korea, a development that would raise serious concerns about military and technological cooperation between Russia and Pyongyang.

The report also mentions unusual military movements around the site of the ship's sinking. Two US aircraft specialized in detecting radioactive materials have flown over the area over the past year, while a Russian ship suspected of espionage hovered over the wreck for several days, before four more underwater explosions were recorded.

The Spanish investigation raises suspicions that the initial damage to the ship could have been caused by a special high-speed torpedo or an explosive device placed in its hull. A hole about 50 centimeters wide was found in the ship, with the metal bent inwards.

The event has increased speculation about the possibility of transferring Russian nuclear technology to North Korea, especially after the military rapprochement between the two countries and the sending of North Korean troops to support Russia in the war in Ukraine.

So far, neither the Pentagon, the British Army, nor the Russian company that owns the ship have provided official comments on the incident.


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