A Russian cargo ship, the Ursa Major, has sunk in the Mediterranean Sea, sparking curiosity and concern. The ship, which was reportedly headed to Syria as part of Russia’s military pullout, went down late at night between Spain and Algeria. The incident has raised questions about Russia’s military presence in Syria and its future in the region.
The Ursa Major sank after an explosion in its engine room, although the exact cause is still unclear. A video from a nearby ship shows the Ursa Major leaning badly to one side and sinking slowly. The Spanish Coast Guard received a distress call from the ship on Monday, about 57 miles off the coast of Spain. Rescue teams were sent, and 14 crew members were saved, though two are still missing.
The Ursa Major had left Russia’s St. Petersburg port on December 11, supposedly on its way to Vladivostok, carrying large cranes and parts for a new Russian icebreaker. However, Ukraine’s military intelligence claims the ship was actually headed to Syria, possibly to remove weapons and military gear as Russia withdraws from the war-torn country. This is fueled by Russia’s history of using ships like the Ursa Major to transport military equipment to Syria.
The ship’s owner, Oboronlogistika, is a Russian military contractor with ties to the defense ministry. The Ursa Major itself was sanctioned by the U.S. in 2022 due to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. It had made several trips to Syria, transporting military goods. This particular journey raised suspicions when the ship passed through the Strait of Gibraltar, a key shipping route.
This event also comes amid growing uncertainty about Russia’s future in Syria. Russia’s naval base at Tartus, located on Syria’s Mediterranean coast, has been crucial for Russia’s military presence in the region. However, with the collapse of Bashar al-Assad’s regime, it’s unclear whether Russia will maintain its foothold in Syria. Russia is now negotiating with Syrian leaders to secure continued access to its bases.
Meanwhile, other Russian ships like the Sparta have also been spotted near Syria, fueling more questions about Russia’s ongoing military activities. In fact, Ukraine’s intelligence has reported that both the Ursa Major and Sparta may have been heading to Tartus to remove military supplies. However, Russia insists the Sparta was headed to Egypt, not Syria.
The situation is complicated by Russia’s increasing reliance on private contractors like Oboronlogistika to transport essential equipment, especially since Ukraine has targeted Russia’s Black Sea Fleet. The fate of Russia’s presence in Syria hinges on future talks with the new Syrian government, which may soon demand the removal of Russian forces from key areas.
As of now, it’s still unclear whether Russia will completely withdraw from Syria or simply reduce its military presence. Some reports suggest that Russia might even be considering expanding its military presence in Libya as an alternative. Whatever happens, Russia’s strategic use of shipping to move military gear is becoming even more crucial in these uncertain times.
The sinking of the Ursa Major is just the latest chapter in a complex and evolving military situation in Syria, with many questions still unanswered. Will Russia manage to keep its foothold in Syria, or will it have to retreat entirely? Time will tell.
