Russian dry cargo ship, which transported Russian nuclear reactors for North Korea, may have been hit by NATO torpedoes
CNN reported new details about the sinking of the Russian dry cargo ship Ursa Major, which sank in December 2024 off the Spanish coast. According to journalists and materials from the Spanish investigation, the vessel may have been transporting components of nuclear reactors for submarines to North Korea.
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During interrogations, the ship's captain, Igor Anisimov, informed investigators that elements of two nuclear reactors were on board, disguised as "hatch covers" as listed in the documents. He claimed they did not contain nuclear fuel. It is assumed that the cargo might have been bound for the North Korean port of Rason.
Investigators considered the route itself and the composition of the cargo suspicious. According to their version, two large Liebherr cranes, also on the ship, could have been used to unload the reactors.
On December 22, the vessel began to lose speed and listed. Later, several explosions occurred in the area of the engine room, killing two mechanics. A hole approximately 50 by 50 centimeters was found on the hull.
Spanish investigators put forward the version that the damage could have been caused by a supercavitating torpedo of the "Barracuda" type. Such torpedoes are capable of moving at very high speeds in a gas bubble. However, a number of experts doubt this version and consider the use of a magnetic mine attached to the ship's hull more likely. Especially since such torpedoes are in service only with the USA, Russia, Iran, and some NATO countries.
After the crew was evacuated, the Russian ship "Ivan Gren," which was accompanying the dry cargo ship, launched signal flares, and seismologists recorded four more explosions in the accident area. Later, the Russian vessel "Yantar," considered a reconnaissance ship by NATO countries, arrived at the crash site.
CNN also reports that an American WC-135R aircraft, designed to detect traces of nuclear materials in the atmosphere, flew twice over the sinking site.
South Korean special services previously stated that Russia might have transferred technologies and components for creating nuclear submarines to North Korea in exchange for North Korean military assistance in the war against Ukraine.