Russian Ship Owner Says 'Terrorist Attack' Behind Sinking in Mediterranean

What's New

The owner of a Russian cargo ship that sank in the Mediterranean Sea said Thursday that a "terrorist attack" was behind the incident.

Newsweek reached out to the Russian government via online form for comment Thursday afternoon.

Why It Matters

Fourteen crewmembers of the ship, the Ursa Major, had to be rescued from a lifeboat and transferred to Spain, according to Spain's maritime rescue agency. None of the fourteen crewmembers were injured, but Spanish and Russian officials said two more crew members went missing.

What To Know

The Ursa Major sank following multiple explosions, according to the ship's owner.

What Did The Ursa Major Owner Say?

Oboronlogistica, a Russia-controlled company that operated the Ursa Major, said the ship was destroyed by three powerful explosions just above the water line, describing it as a "terrorist attack," according to a statement carried by RIA Novosti, a Russian state news agency.

The Russian cargo ship the "Baltiyskiy 202" arrives at the port of Dunkirk, northern France, from St Petersburg carrying cylinders containing Russian uranium on March 20, 2023. The owner of a Russian cargo ship that... Sameer Al-Doumy/AFP via Getty Images

The ship operator said the explosions left a hole in the vessel's starboard and filled the engine room with acrid smoke. Smoke impeded the crew's attempts to access the engine room, according to the company. The operator said the engine room damage made it impossible to activate pumps and keep the ship from sinking.

Oboronlogistica's claims could not be independently verified by Newsweek.

Details About Russian Ship Sinking

On Tuesday, Spanish and Russian officials announced the Ursa Major's sinking between Spain and Algeria.

The Ursa Major is one of Russia's largest cargo ships. It had departed from St. Petersburg and was carrying two heavy cranes and other equipment to the port of Vladivostok on Russia's far eastern coast, according to Oboronlogistica.

Oboronlogistica is a Russian shipping and logistics company created under the country's defense ministry. It has been targeted by U.S. and European Union (EU) sanctions for its connection to Russia's military.

What People Are Saying

Anton Gerashchenko, a former adviser to the Ukrainian Ministry of Internal Affairs, wrote on X, formerly Twitter: "The ship, which left St. Petersburg 12 days ago and was headed for Vladivostok, had an explosion in the engine room."

Frederik Van Lokeren, a former Belgian navy officer and current navy analyst, wrote: "Looks like bad start for Russia's evacuation of Tartus. First [Russian cargo ship] Sparta broke down off the coast of [the Syrian city of] Tartus, now Ursa Major appears to have suffered a more severe breakdown."

What Happens Next

There are still many unknowns about the Ursa Major's sinking with Russian officials yet to confirm the cause of the attack and two crew members who remain missing.

This article includes reporting from The Associated Press.