Sunk Russian Ship Likely Carried Nuclear Reactor Parts to North Korea

A report indicates that the Ursa Major, a Russian cargo ship that sank off the coast of Spain in December 2024 following a series of explosions, was likely transporting nuclear submarine reactor components to North Korea. Although the vessel’s manifest listed innocuous cargo like manhole covers and cranes, the captain revealed to Spanish investigators that the heavy containers held reactor parts devoid of nuclear fuel. The ship was reportedly destined for the North Korean port of Rason. The incident has sparked speculation about covert Western military intervention, as seismic data registered explosions similar to mine blasts after a Russian warship arrived on the scene and restricted access. This Russian vessel allegedly launched flares, potentially to blind surveillance satellites, before the final sinking. The event occurred shortly after North Korea deployed troops to support Russia in Ukraine, raising stakes regarding nuclear technology transfers. Investigators noted the suspicious 15,000km sea route between two Russian ports, which avoided difficult overland transport. The sinking resulted in two deaths and the evacuation of fourteen crew members, with the wreck resting at a depth of 2,500 meters.