The Ursa Major, a US-sanctioned Russian cargo ship likely carrying two nuclear reactors, sank about 60 miles off the coast of Spain. The ship suffered three explosions on its starboard side. The ship sank in 2024, and the details surrounding it had been shrouded in mystery. While officials listed cargo, such as port cranes and empty containers bound for Vladivostok, a Spanish investigation and a new CNN investigation claim that it was a Western intervention to halt Russia from delivering an upgrade in nuclear technology to North Korea.&nbsp;<h2>The sinking of Russia's ship Ursa Major</h2>The sequence of events leading to the sinking of Ursa Major remains unclear. According to a Spanish investigation, it was sunk using a torpedo, and 14 crew members were rescued by Spanish maritime services; 2 crew members remain missing and are presumed dead. It was being escorted by two Russian military ships, the Ivan Gren and Aleksandr Otrakovsky. It first gave a distress call at 11:53 am UTC on December 23. It said that the vessel had suffered three explosions on its starboard side, likely near its engine room, and it was immobile. The Russian vessels that escorted the Ursa major urged the Spanish rescuer to maintain a distance of two nautical miles, and then the Spanish authorities insisted on helping. They checked the vessel and claimed that it would not sink anytime soon. At 9:50 pm, one of the escorting ships, the Ivan Green, fired red flares and four explosions, and four seismic signatures were recorded. By 11:10 pm, the Ursa Major was reported sunk.Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/currency-swap-lines-china-uae-dollar-dominance-1778576406988">What are currency swap lines? How it is being used to maintain dollar dominance</a><h2>What was the cargo on Russia's ship Ursa Major?</h2>The Russian captain initially claimed that the ship was carrying manhole covers and empty containers. But later, its owner, the state-linked Oboronlogistics, said that it was licensed to carry nuclear materials. &nbsp;He labelled the event a "targeted terrorist attack," citing a 50 cm hole in the hull with metal bent inward. What caught the attention of observers was the activities following its sinking. The Russian spy ship Yantar arrived, and four additional explosions were recorded. The US WC-135R “sniffer” has visited the area a couple of times since the explosions. However, there has been no evidence of a radiation leak at the site yet, but the incident continues to draw international interest.

The Russian cargo ship Ursa Major sank off the coast of Spain after multiple explosions. Investigations suggest the vessel may have been carrying nuclear reactor components linked to North Korea.

The Ursa Major, a US-sanctioned Russian cargo ship likely carrying two nuclear reactors, sank about 60 miles off the coast of Spain. The ship suffered three explosions on its starboard side. The ship sank in 2024, and the details surrounding it had been shrouded in mystery. While officials listed cargo, such as port cranes and empty containers bound for Vladivostok, a Spanish investigation and a new CNN investigation claim that it was a Western intervention to halt Russia from delivering an upgrade in nuclear technology to North Korea. The sinking of Russia's ship Ursa Major The sequence of events leading to the sinking of Ursa Major remains unclear. According to a Spanish investigation, it was sunk using a torpedo, and 14 crew members were rescued by Spanish maritime services; 2 crew members remain missing and are presumed dead. It was being escorted by two Russian military ships, the Ivan Gren and Aleksandr Otrakovsky. It first gave a distress call at 11:53 am UTC on December 23. It said that the vessel had suffered three explosions on its starboard side, likely near its engine room, and it was immobile. The Russian vessels that escorted the Ursa major urged the Spanish rescuer to maintain a distance of two nautical miles, and then the Spanish authorities insisted on helping. They checked the vessel and claimed that it would not sink anytime soon. At 9:50 pm, one of the escorting ships, the Ivan Green, fired red flares and four explosions, and four seismic signatures were recorded. By 11:10 pm, the Ursa Major was reported sunk. Also Read: What are currency swap lines? How it is being used to maintain dollar dominance What was the cargo on Russia's ship Ursa Major? The Russian captain initially claimed that the ship was carrying manhole covers and empty containers. But later, its owner, the state-linked Oboronlogistics, said that it was licensed to carry nuclear materials. He labelled the event a "targeted terrorist attack," citing a 50 cm hole in the hull with metal bent inward. What caught the attention of observers was the activities following its sinking. The Russian spy ship Yantar arrived, and four additional explosions were recorded. The US WC-135R “sniffer” has visited the area a couple of times since the explosions. However, there has been no evidence of a radiation leak at the site yet, but the incident continues to draw international interest.

The Russian cargo ship Ursa Major sank off the coast of Spain after multiple explosions. Investigations suggest the vessel may have been carrying nuclear reactor components linked to North Korea.

Did Russia’s 'ghost ship' Ursa Major sink off Spain coast with nuclear cargo?

Deputy chairman of the Russian Security Council Dmitry Medvedev on Friday (Dec 27) accused a Norwegian shipping company Oslo Carrier 3 of refusing to rescue sailors from a sinking Russian cargo ship.&nbsp;
Medvedev called the company's action &lsquo;outrageous&rsquo; and claimed it denied rescuing people onboard Ursa Major cargo ship.&nbsp;
However, the Norwegian shipping company rejected the claims on the same day.&nbsp;
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Ursa Major carries out missions for the Russian Defence Ministry's military construction arm.&nbsp;
The ship ran into trouble on Monday (Dec 23) and sank between Spain and Algeria. It was carrying 16 crew members and only 14 of them were found.&nbsp;
The ship left port in St. Petersburg 12 days back, and the ship's owner said it was en route to Vladivostok in Russia's Far East. It was carrying two cranes for the port, with each weighing 380 tonnes.&nbsp;
Ursa Major was reportedly in the same area where another Russian ship named Sparta was last week and ran into trouble. At the beginning of December, Ukrainian military intelligence (HUR) reported that Sparta was seen heading to Russia's naval base on the Syrian coast at Tartous. The report said the ship was there to move military equipment out of Syria after the downfall of Bashar al-Assad.
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Further on Monday (Dec 23), the HUR said that Sparta had broken down off Portugal, but the problem had been fixed. But since Ursa Major is also known as Sparta III, it was not clear which ship the agency was referring to.&nbsp;
It is still unknown what caused the explosion in the Ursa Major while it was between Oran in Algeria and the Spanish town of Aguilas.
Ursa Major was built in 2009 and was placed under sanction after Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.&nbsp;
(With inputs from agencies)
&nbsp;

Ursa Major carries out missions for the Russian Defence Ministry's military construction arm. 

Deputy chairman of the Russian Security Council Dmitry Medvedev on Friday (Dec 27) accused a Norwegian shipping company Oslo Carrier 3 of refusing to rescue sailors from a sinking Russian cargo ship. Medvedev called the company's action ‘outrageous’ and claimed it denied rescuing people onboard Ursa Major cargo ship. However, the Norwegian shipping company rejected the claims on the same day. Also read | Meet Choi Sang-mok, S Korea's new acting president who vowed to overcome political turmoil Ursa Major carries out missions for the Russian Defence Ministry's military construction arm. The ship ran into trouble on Monday (Dec 23) and sank between Spain and Algeria. It was carrying 16 crew members and only 14 of them were found. The ship left port in St. Petersburg 12 days back, and the ship's owner said it was en route to Vladivostok in Russia's Far East. It was carrying two cranes for the port, with each weighing 380 tonnes. Ursa Major was reportedly in the same area where another Russian ship named Sparta was last week and ran into trouble. At the beginning of December, Ukrainian military intelligence (HUR) reported that Sparta was seen heading to Russia's naval base on the Syrian coast at Tartous. The report said the ship was there to move military equipment out of Syria after the downfall of Bashar al-Assad. Also read | Russia says it may consider 'own options' if US resumes nuclear testing under Trump’s watch Further on Monday (Dec 23), the HUR said that Sparta had broken down off Portugal, but the problem had been fixed. But since Ursa Major is also known as Sparta III, it was not clear which ship the agency was referring to. It is still unknown what caused the explosion in the Ursa Major while it was between Oran in Algeria and the Spanish town of Aguilas. Ursa Major was built in 2009 and was placed under sanction after Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. (With inputs from agencies)

Moscow accuses Norwegian shipping company of denying help to sinking Russian ship, company rejects claim

Moscow, Russia
A Russian cargo ship, Ursa Major, has sunk in the Mediterranean between Spain and Algeria after an explosion in its engine room. The Russian foreign ministry said that 14 crew members were rescued and were taken to the Spanish port of Cartagena, and two others are yet to be found. 
The ship left port in St. Petersburg 12 days back, and the ship's owner said it was en route to Vladivostok in Russia's Far East. It was carrying two cranes for the port, with each weighing 380 tonnes. 
Watch | 73% of South Koreans Support Developing Nuclear Weapons, Survey Shows
<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://cdn.thepublive.com/wion/static/kaltura_player/wion_video_player_iframe.html?thumbnail=wion/media/post_attachments/files/2024/12/24/2412_wion_korea_3pm-1735035912-00000003.jpg&videourl=https://vodakm.zeenews.com/vod/WION/2412_wion_korea_3pm.mp4/index.m3u8&duration=154&tags=South Korea,nuclear weapons,nukes,Development" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>
Ursa Major was reportedly in the same area where another Russian ship named Sparta was last week and ran into trouble. At the beginning of December, Ukrainian military intelligence (HUR) reported that Sparta was seen heading to Russia's naval base on the Syrian coast at Tartous. The report said the ship was there to move military equipment out of Syria after the downfall of Bashar al-Assad.
Further on Monday (Dec 23), the HUR said that Sparta had broken down off Portugal, but the problem had been fixed. But since Ursa Major is also known as Sparta III, it was not clear which ship the agency was referring to. 
It is still unknown what caused the explosion in the Ursa Major while it was between Oran in Algeria and the Spanish town of Aguilas.
Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/study-middle-children-tend-to-be-more-honest-than-siblings-786474">Study: Middle children tend to be more honest than their other siblings</a>
Ursa Major was built in 2009 and was placed under sanction after Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. 
(With inputs from agencies)

The ship left port in St. Petersburg 12 days ago, and the ship's owner said it was en route to Vladivostok in Russia's Far East. It was carrying two cranes for the port, with each weighing 380 tonnes. 



Moscow, Russia A Russian cargo ship, Ursa Major, has sunk in the Mediterranean between Spain and Algeria after an explosion in its engine room. The Russian foreign ministry said that 14 crew members were rescued and were taken to the Spanish port of Cartagena, and two others are yet to be found. The ship left port in St. Petersburg 12 days back, and the ship's owner said it was en route to Vladivostok in Russia's Far East. It was carrying two cranes for the port, with each weighing 380 tonnes. Watch | 73% of South Koreans Support Developing Nuclear Weapons, Survey Shows Ursa Major was reportedly in the same area where another Russian ship named Sparta was last week and ran into trouble. At the beginning of December, Ukrainian military intelligence (HUR) reported that Sparta was seen heading to Russia's naval base on the Syrian coast at Tartous. The report said the ship was there to move military equipment out of Syria after the downfall of Bashar al-Assad. Further on Monday (Dec 23), the HUR said that Sparta had broken down off Portugal, but the problem had been fixed. But since Ursa Major is also known as Sparta III, it was not clear which ship the agency was referring to. It is still unknown what caused the explosion in the Ursa Major while it was between Oran in Algeria and the Spanish town of Aguilas. Also read | Study: Middle children tend to be more honest than their other siblings Ursa Major was built in 2009 and was placed under sanction after Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. (With inputs from agencies)

Russia ship Ursa Major sinks after engine explosion, 14 crew members rescued, others missing

A Russian cargo ship, Ursa Major, has sunk in the Mediterranean between Spain and Algeria after an explosion in its engine room. The Russian foreign ministry said that 14 crew members were rescued and were taken to the Spanish port of Cartagena, and two others are yet to be found.&nbsp;

The ship left port in St. Petersburg 12 days back, and the ship's owner said it was en route to Vladivostok in Russia's Far East. It was carrying two cranes for the port, with each weighing 380 tonnes.&nbsp;

Watch |&nbsp;73% of South Koreans Support Developing Nuclear Weapons, Survey Shows

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/73-of-south-koreans-support-developing-nuclear-weapons-survey-shows-786442/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Ursa Major was reportedly in the same area where another Russian ship named Sparta was last week and ran into trouble. At the beginning of December, Ukrainian military intelligence (HUR) reported that Sparta was seen heading to Russia's naval base on the Syrian coast at Tartous. The report said the ship was there to move military equipment out of Syria after the downfall of Bashar al-Assad.

Further on Monday (Dec 23), the HUR said that Sparta had broken down off Portugal, but the problem had been fixed. But since Ursa Major is also known as Sparta III, it was not clear which ship the agency was referring to.&nbsp;

It is still unknown what caused the explosion in the Ursa Major while it was between Oran in Algeria and the Spanish town of Aguilas.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/study-middle-children-tend-to-be-more-honest-than-siblings-786474">Study: Middle children tend to be more honest than their other siblings</a>

Ursa Major was built in 2009 and was placed under sanction after Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

A Russian cargo ship, Ursa Major, has sunk in the Mediterranean between Spain and Algeria after an explosion in its engine room. The Russian foreign ministry said that 14 crew members were rescued and were taken to the Spanish port of Cartagena, and two others are yet to be found.

A Russian cargo ship, Ursa Major, has sunk in the Mediterranean between Spain and Algeria after an explosion in its engine room. The Russian foreign ministry said that 14 crew members were rescued and were taken to the Spanish port of Cartagena, and two others are yet to be found. The ship left port in St. Petersburg 12 days back, and the ship's owner said it was en route to Vladivostok in Russia's Far East. It was carrying two cranes for the port, with each weighing 380 tonnes. Watch | 73% of South Koreans Support Developing Nuclear Weapons, Survey Shows Ursa Major was reportedly in the same area where another Russian ship named Sparta was last week and ran into trouble. At the beginning of December, Ukrainian military intelligence (HUR) reported that Sparta was seen heading to Russia's naval base on the Syrian coast at Tartous. The report said the ship was there to move military equipment out of Syria after the downfall of Bashar al-Assad. Further on Monday (Dec 23), the HUR said that Sparta had broken down off Portugal, but the problem had been fixed. But since Ursa Major is also known as Sparta III, it was not clear which ship the agency was referring to. It is still unknown what caused the explosion in the Ursa Major while it was between Oran in Algeria and the Spanish town of Aguilas. Also read | Study: Middle children tend to be more honest than their other siblings Ursa Major was built in 2009 and was placed under sanction after Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. (With inputs from agencies)

James Webb Space Telescope of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has taken a space selfie and spotted its first star.

The first picture sent back of the cosmos is far from stunning: 18 blurry white dots on a black background, all showing the same object: HD 84406 a bright, isolated star located in the Ursa Major, or "The Big Dipper," constellation but too faint to be seen from Earth with the naked eye.

"The entire Webb team is ecstatic at how well the first steps of taking images and aligning the telescope are proceeding," said Marcia Rieke, principal investigator for the NIRCam instrument and regents professor of astronomy, University of Arizona, in a statement.

"We were so happy to see that light make its way into NIRCam."

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/30000-meteorites-are-hiding-across-antarctica-as-per-this-treasure-map-created-by-artificial-intelligence-451559" hreflang="en">30,000 meteorites are hiding across Antarctica as per this 'treasure map' created by artificial intelligence</a>

Designed to give the world an unprecedented glimpse of infant galaxies in the early stages of the universe, Webb reached its destination at a position of gravitational equilibrium known as the second Sun-Earth Lagrange point, or L2, arriving one month after launch.

Besides making stellar observations, Webb will scan the atmospheres of alien worlds for possible signs of life.

The mirrors on the $10 billion observatory still must be meticulously aligned, the infrared detectors sufficiently chilled and the scientific instruments calibrated before observations can begin in June.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/youngest-pair-of-asteroids-ever-discovered-in-solar-system-spotted-by-astronomers-451332" hreflang="en">Youngest pair of asteroids ever discovered in solar system spotted by astronomers</a>

Considered the successor to the Hubble Space Telescope, which orbits 330 miles (530 kilometers) up, Webb is too far away for emergency repairs.

Sometime in June, NASA expects to make public its "early release observations," a 'greatest hits' collection of initial images used to demonstrate proper functioning of Webb's instruments during its commissioning phase.

The telescope is an international collaboration led by NASA in partnership with the European and Canadian space agencies. Northrop Grumman Corp was the primary contractor.

Whether chasing optical and ultraviolet light like Hubble or infrared light like Webb, telescopes can see farther and more clearly when operating above Earth’s distorting atmosphere. That’s why NASA teamed up with the European and Canadian space agencies to get Webb and its mirror — the largest ever launched — into the cosmos.

(With inputs from agencies)

James Webb Space Telescope of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has taken a space selfie and spotted its first star. The first picture sent back of the cosmos is far from stunning: 18 blurry white dots on a black background, all showing the same object: HD 84406 a bright, isolated star located in the Ursa Major, or "The Big Dipper," constellation but too faint to be seen from Earth with the naked eye.

James Webb Space Telescope of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has taken a space selfie and spotted its first star. The first picture sent back of the cosmos is far from stunning: 18 blurry white dots on a black background, all showing the same object: HD 84406 a bright, isolated star located in the Ursa Major, or "The Big Dipper," constellation but too faint to be seen from Earth with the naked eye. "The entire Webb team is ecstatic at how well the first steps of taking images and aligning the telescope are proceeding," said Marcia Rieke, principal investigator for the NIRCam instrument and regents professor of astronomy, University of Arizona, in a statement. "We were so happy to see that light make its way into NIRCam." Also read | 30,000 meteorites are hiding across Antarctica as per this 'treasure map' created by artificial intelligence Designed to give the world an unprecedented glimpse of infant galaxies in the early stages of the universe, Webb reached its destination at a position of gravitational equilibrium known as the second Sun-Earth Lagrange point, or L2, arriving one month after launch. Besides making stellar observations, Webb will scan the atmospheres of alien worlds for possible signs of life. The mirrors on the $10 billion observatory still must be meticulously aligned, the infrared detectors sufficiently chilled and the scientific instruments calibrated before observations can begin in June. Also read | Youngest pair of asteroids ever discovered in solar system spotted by astronomers Considered the successor to the Hubble Space Telescope, which orbits 330 miles (530 kilometers) up, Webb is too far away for emergency repairs. Sometime in June, NASA expects to make public its "early release observations," a 'greatest hits' collection of initial images used to demonstrate proper functioning of Webb's instruments during its commissioning phase. The telescope is an international collaboration led by NASA in partnership with the European and Canadian space agencies. Northrop Grumman Corp was the primary contractor. Whether chasing optical and ultraviolet light like Hubble or infrared light like Webb, telescopes can see farther and more clearly when operating above Earth’s distorting atmosphere. That’s why NASA teamed up with the European and Canadian space agencies to get Webb and its mirror — the largest ever launched — into the cosmos. (With inputs from agencies)

NASA's James Webb Space Telescope takes a space selfie

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Did Russia’s 'ghost ship' Ursa Major sink off Spain coast with nuclear cargo?

Moscow accuses Norwegian shipping company of denying help to sinking Russian ship, company rejects claim

Russia ship Ursa Major sinks after engine explosion, 14 crew members rescued, others missing

Russia ship Ursa Major sinks after engine explosion, 14 crew members rescued, others missing

NASA's James Webb Space Telescope takes a space selfie