Sunk Putin cargo ship was victim of sabotage that sparked three explosions onboard, Russians believe as Ukraine vows more attacks

Russia suspects a major act of sabotage over ‘three explosions’ which sank its military cargo supply vessel Ursa Major in the Mediterranean.

Ukraine has not claimed responsibility but a prominent Kyiv war source has warned Vladimir Putin to expect more such acts. 

The 466ft ship sank hours after the blasts. It had passed the Strait of Gibraltar and was between Spain and Algeria.

At the time, there were reports of one engine room explosion.

But now the Russian owner of the Ursa Major – Oboronlogistics, closely linked to Vladimir Putin’s defence ministry – says a ‘pre-planned terrorist attack was committed against the vessel’ on 23 December.

‘There were three consecutive explosions on the starboard side in the area of the stern,’ admitted the company.

‘The vessel developed a 25-degree list – a clear sign water had begun to flood the ship’s compartments.’

Survivors of the sinking of Russian cargo ship Ursa Major stand on the deck of a Spanish Maritime Rescue ship upon arrival at the port of Cartagena, Spain, December 23, 2024

A criminal investigation is underway in Russia into the alleged sabotage which may have involved primed explosives on board.

Officially the ship which had passed through the English Channel was heading for Vladivostok in the Pacific via the Suez Canal, but there are suspicions it was due to call en route at Tartus in Syria to take on board military cargo as Russia winds down its armed forces presence following the fall of ally Bashar al-Assad.

On board the vessel were two gantry cranes weighing a total of 686 tonnes, two crane buckets weighing 27 tonnes, two ship’s bilge covers weighing a total of 91 tonnes, one 20-ft container with spare parts for the covers weighing two tonnes plus 129 empty containers.

Its loss is a blow to Putin because its cargo included super-heavy cranes and parts of a new nuclear icebreaker such as 45-ton hatch covers.

Ukrainian war correspondent Andriy Tsaplienko, with 340,000 followers, said vessels in Putin’s so-called shadow fleet evading sanctions and carrying military supplies could now be threatened.

‘The Russian bulk carrier Ursa Major was likely damaged by three explosions,’ reported his channel Tsaplienko_Ukraine Fights.

Footage showed rescued mariners from the Ursa Major after an incident in the Mediterranean

The Russian vessel Ursa Major with a mystery cargo on board sank in international waters between Spain and Algeria

‘If this is true, and there was sabotage on board the ship, then the Russian economy could soon suffer a strategic blow due to the fact that its ‘shadow fleet’ suspends its activities.

‘The ship sinking off Spain was involved in the ‘Syrian Express’, a weapons supply system for the Assad regime in Syria.

‘If Russian ships continue to transport weapons, oil, and grain stolen from Ukraine, then who knows, similar sabotage on other ships in neutral waters is not out of the question.

‘If Russia suddenly wants to ensure their safety, it will return them to Russian ports for inspection.

‘In both cases, the ships will stop bringing Russia crazy money, so the Kremlin will not spend it on terror against Ukrainians.’