Vessel For Evacuating Russian Troops From Syria Sinks

Two of the sixteen sailors are missing.

The Russian cargo ship Ursa Major sank in the Mediterranean Sea between the Spanish city of Aguilas and the Algerian city of Oran, the Spanish publication La Verdad reported, citing sources, and Mediazona, citing the radio program of the Spanish rescue service on the night of Tuesday, December 24, Deutsche Welle reports.

According to media reports, 14 of the 16 sailors on board were taken to the port of Cartagena. Two more are still missing.

According to La Verdad sources, the ship began listing at 12:30 on December 23 after "an explosion of engines occurred." A Russian military ship and several vessels operating in the same area took control of the rescue operation. Later, a Spanish Navy patrol boat joined them.

Officially, the Ursa Mayor dry cargo ship was en route from St. Petersburg to Vladivostok and was supposed to arrive there on January 22, 2025. According to the Oboronlogistics company, it was supposed to deliver port cranes weighing 380 tons each.

However, Mediazona, citing OSINT analysts, wrote that the Sparta and Ursa Mayor dry cargo ships, which entered the Mediterranean accompanied by three large military landing ships, had been transporting cargo for the Syrian Express for a long time - a route used to supply Russian troops in Syria. According to experts, all five ships could have been intended for the evacuation of Russian military bases in Tartus and Khmeimim.

You can support the website Charter97.org

MULTI-CURRENCY ACCOUNT FOR ASSISTANCE:

Bank's name: Bank Millennium S.A.
Address: ul. Stanislawa Zaryna, 2A, 02-593, Warszawa
IBAN: PL97116022020000000216711123
SWIFT: BIGBPLPW
Name of the account holder: Fundacja “KARTA ‘97”
Purpose/title of payment: Donation for statuary aims

You can contact us by the e-mail charter97@gmail.com