Russian “Ghost Ship” Sank (in 2024) While Smuggling Nuclear Reactor Parts Likely Bound for North Korea

Russian “Ghost Ship” Sank While Smuggling Nuclear Reactor Parts Likely Bound for North Korea​

Spanish investigators have confirmed that the Russian cargo vessel Ursa Major, which sank off the coast of Cartagena in December 2024, was carrying undeclared nuclear reactor components likely bound for North Korea.

Though the ship’s manifest listed only empty containers and port equipment, aerial images revealed two large, undeclared containers at the stern. Authorities later identified them as housings for VM-4SG nuclear reactors.

Spain concluded the shipment was headed for the North Korean port of Rason, which lacks the infrastructure to handle such cargo without specialized cranes—also found onboard.

A distress signal followed on December 23. Spanish rescue units responded and found the ship heavily tilted. The captain claimed mechanical failure, but hull damage showed signs of an external strike consistent with a supercavitating torpedo.

The Russian warship Ivan Gren soon arrived, demanded control of the site, and launched flares—likely to disrupt satellite surveillance. Shortly after, the Ursa Major disappeared from the surface. Seismographs recorded underwater explosions, and the ship sank to a depth of 2,500 meters.

wikipedia