Russia’s Oboronlogistics Claims Terrorist Attack Sunk Freighter ‘Ursa Major‘ in Mediterranean
In a dramatic turn of events, the Russian-owned cargo vessel ‘Ursa Major’ sank in the Mediterranean Sea yesterday, with two crew members still unaccounted for. Oboronlogistics, a defense ministry subsidiary, has stated that the incident was an act of terrorism, citing testimony from crew members describing three sequential explosions on the ship’s right side. However, no concrete evidence or perpetrators have been identified.
The ‘Ursa Major’, which set sail from St. Petersburg twelve days ago, was en route to Vladivostok carrying components for a nuclear-powered icebreaker, according to Oboronlogistics. The vessel’s sinking comes amidst a tense regional atmosphere, with reports suggesting a credible Russian buildup of military assets from Syria to Libya.
Russia’s foreign ministry initially attributed the sinking to an explosion in the ship’s engine room. Oboronlogistics, however, disputes this account, claiming that it was a targeted attack.
The ‘Ursa Major’ incident has reignited concerns about the safety and security of maritime routes in the Mediterranean. The US and EU have already imposed sanctions on Oboronlogistics due to its ties with Russia’s military.