A Russian 'Ghost Ship' Sank In Mediterranean Under Mysterious Circumstances. What Was It Carrying?

Last Updated:May 12, 2026, 12:02 IST

US nuclear "sniffer" aircraft have flown over sunken Russian ship twice in the past year, fueling speculations over Washington's involvement in the incident

A Russian cargo ship, allegedly carrying two nuclear reactors for submarines, came across a series of explosions and sank under unidentified circumstances, about 60 miles off the coast of Spain.

According to a report by CNN, citing an investigation, the Ursa Major was likely headed to North Korea. The sinking of the ship under unknown circumstances marks a rare and significant intervention by a Western military to halt Russian nuclear aid to its key ally, North Korea.

The ship set sail two months after North Korean leader Kim Jong Un had dispatched troops to assist Russia in its war against Ukraine.

As of early 2026, around 15,000 North Korean troops have been deployed to Russia, with thousands involved in combat in the Kursk region since late 2024.

US Behind The Sinking?

US nuclear “sniffer" aircraft have flown over sunken Russian ship twice in the past year, fueling speculations over Washington’s involvement in the incident, according to public flight data.

A week after the vessel went down, its wreckage drew a visit by a suspected Russian spy ship. And what followed were four additional explosions near the wreck site, the outlet reported, citing a source familiar with the Spanish probe into the incident.

On February 23, the Spanish government released a statement, confirming that the ship’s Russian captain had told investigators the Ursa Major was carrying “components for two nuclear reactors similar to those used in submarines".

He added that he was not aware of whether or not the ship had been loaded with nuclear fuel.

The incident occurred in December, 2024, when Joe Biden’s presidency was nearing a demise.

About The Ursa Major

The Ursa Major was part of Russia’s so-called “ghost fleet" and was traveling from St. Petersburg to Vladivostok via the Mediterranean Sea.

According to the ship’s public manifest, it was headed to Vladivostok, in Russia’s Far East, when it departed on December 11. The Ursa Major was carrying two large “manhole covers," 129 empty shipping containers, and two large Liebherr cranes.

On December 23, as per the Spanish investigation, it suffered three explosions on its starboard side, killing two crew members. The remaining 14 crew members were evacuated on a lifeboat.

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