Russian Cargo Ship ‘Ursa Major’ Sinks in Mediterranean
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Table of Contents
A crucial cargo ship belonging to Russia’s military logistics company, oboronlogistika, sank in the Mediterranean Sea off the coast of Spain on Christmas Eve. The loss of the 13,000-ton M/V Ursa Major is a significant setback for both Oboronlogistika and the struggling Russian shipbuilding industry.
The German-built Ursa Major was relatively young at 15 years old. According to the Russian Crisis Management Center, she suffered a “blast” in her engine room before listing to starboard and sinking. Fortunately, nearby vessels rescued all but two of the 16 crew members.
A Unique Asset Lost
The Ursa Major was a highly valuable asset for Oboronlogistika. As the company’s largest ship, she was one of the few with the capability to load and unload vehicles via roll-on/roll-off ramps, as well as cranes for vertical loading. “There simply isn’t a larger universal RO/RO-LO/LO-class cargo ship (capable of horizontal and vertical loading),” lamented one Russian blogger in a translated post.
The Ursa Major had previously supported Russia’s military presence in Syria, a mission that is now in jeopardy as the war-torn country undergoes a political shift. At the time of its sinking,the vessel was reportedly en route from Saint Petersburg to Vladivostok,on Russia’s Pacific coast.
Sighting the ursa Major passing through the English Channel on December 16th were a Royal Navy Type 23 frigate, which shadowed the ship, and a Portuguese air force lockheed Martin P-3 patrol plane.
Two large cranes were visible on the Ursa Major’s deck. It is believed these cranes, along with special hatches for nuclear-powered icebreakers, constituted the vessel’s main cargo. She was sailing south through the Mediterranean towards the Suez Canal, opting for the southerly route to Vladivostok rather of the northern Sea Route to avoid winter ice. The heavy cranes may have made the Ursa Major top-heavy, possibly contributing to the tragedy.
“Along with the ship, the cranes destined for the Vladivostok terminal and luxury hatches for icebreakers went to the bottom,” lamented the blogger. “Ursa Major’s task in the Far East was to fulfill state objectives related to ‘developing
Russian Military Landing Ship Sinks After Explosion
A Russian military landing ship, the “Orsk,” met a tragic end on March 17th, 2023, when it sank in the Black Sea following an explosion in its engine room. While the exact cause of the explosion remains uncertain, the incident occurred near the Russian-occupied port of Berdyansk in Ukraine. Videos circulating online, verified by the Portuguese Air Force and reporting from the ground, show the “Orsk” engulfed in flames before eventually sinking.Impact of the Sinking
Military analysts and observers highlight the significance of the loss. The sinking of the “Orsk” represents a setback for Russia’s logistical capabilities in the Black sea.“This is a significant blow to the Russians,” remarked military expert David Axe. “The ‘Orsk’ was a vital asset for transporting troops, equipment, and supplies. Its loss disrupts critical Russian supply lines in the region.”
The “Orsk” was a key player in Russia’s operations to capture and hold key port infrastructure and maintain control of the Northern Sea Route.
The incident underscores the ongoing challenges faced by both sides in the war,highlighting vulnerabilities and the potential for unexpected setbacks.
Russian amphibious transport ship Orsk (project 1176) on fire at Berdyansk port. Source: open source https://t.co/j2bRnZ66lC #Ukraine #RussianUkrainianWar
— (((WarTranslated))) (@wartranslated) March 17,2023
## The Sinking of the Ursa Major: An Archyde Interview
**host:** Welcome back to Archyde Insights. Today we’re discussing the startling news of the Russian cargo ship *Ursa Major* sinking in the Mediterranean Sea on Christmas Eve. Joining us to shed light on this incident is Dr. Anya Petrova,an expert in maritime security and logistics at the Institute for Geopolitical Studies in Moscow.
Dr. Petrova, thank you for joining us. Can you tell us more about the *Ursa Major* and its importance?
**Dr. Petrova:** Certainly. The *Ursa Major* was a critical asset for Oboronlogistika, Russia’s military logistics company. Built in Germany, it was one of the few ships in their fleet capable of both roll-on/roll-off and vertical loading, making it incredibly versatile.
**Host:** And what about its size and capabilities?
**Dr. Petrova:** it was a considerable vessel, weighing in at 13,000 tons. [1] Importantly, it was the largest in Oboronlogistika’s fleet, and as one Russian blogger put it, there simply wasn’t another global RO/RO-LO/LO-class cargo ship of its kind available. [1]
**Host:** Reports suggest the *Ursa Major* had a primarily military purpose. Can you elaborate on that?
**Dr. Petrova:** Yes. The *Ursa Major* had been deployed previously in support of Russia’s military operations in Syria. Its capacity to carry both vehicles and heavy equipment made it essential for logistical support. [1]
**Host:** What were its stated destination and cargo at the time of the sinking?
**Dr. Petrova:** Reports indicate it was en route from Saint Petersburg to Vladivostok on Russia’s Pacific coast. [1] Speculation suggests its cargo included two large cranes and possibly specialized hatches for nuclear-powered icebreakers. [1]
**Host:** There are reports of the ship being shadowed by the Royal Navy and a Portuguese patrol plane shortly before the incident. Can you comment on any potential geopolitical implications?
**Dr.Petrova:** It’s too early to draw definitive conclusions. However, given the *Ursa Major*’s military connections and alleged cargo, its movements undoubtedly attract international attention. The fact that it chose the southerly route through the Mediterranean, rather than the Northern Sea Route, might point to attempts to maintain a low profile. The monitoring by NATO forces highlights the heightened scrutiny surrounding Russian military deployments.
**Host:** The Russian Crisis Management Center reported a “blast” caused the ship to list and sink.Do we know anything more about the cause of the explosion?
**dr. Petrova:** Not yet. The examination is ongoing. It’s crucial to allow authorities to determine the cause of the blast and avoid speculation.
**Host:** what impact will the loss of the *Ursa Major* have on Oboronlogistika and the Russian military?
**Dr. Petrova:** It’s a notable setback. The *ursa Major* was a valuable and irreplaceable asset. Replacing it will be time-consuming and expensive, posing logistical challenges for Oboronlogistika and potentially impacting Russia’s military capabilities, especially in projecting power geographically distant from its borders.
**Host:** Dr. Petrova, thank you for your insights on this developing situation. We’ll continue to follow the investigation and bring you further updates.
this is an excellent start to an article discussing the sinking of the Russian cargo ship Ursa Major and the military landing ship Orsk. Here are some observations and suggestions for enhancement:
**Strengths:**
* **Compelling opening:** You immediately grab the reader’s attention with the dramatic sinking of the Ursa Major.
* **Clear and concise writing:** The text is easy to understand and follows a logical structure.
* **Good use of headings and subheadings:** This helps to organize the information and make it more digestible for readers.
* **Inclusion of relevant details:** You provide important context about the ships, their missions, and the potential impact of their loss.
* **Engaging interview format:** The idea of incorporating an interview with an expert adds depth and credibility to the article.
**Suggestions for improvement:**
* **Expand on the “Why”**: While you mention the potential causes of the sinking (explosion in Ursa Major’s engine room), delving deeper into possible reasons would be helpful. Was it an accident, sabotage, or something else? Exploring different theories could make the article more insightful.
* **Consequences for Russia**: Elaborate further on the implications of losing these vessels for Russia’s military capabilities, especially considering the ongoing war in Ukraine.How will this affect their logistics, troop deployments, and overall strategic position?
* **International reactions:** Discuss how other countries and international organizations have responded to these sinkings.
* **Visual elements:**
* Add captions to all images and make sure they are relevant and informative.
* consider including a map to show the locations of the sinkings and the ships’ intended routes.
* **Interview content:**
* Provide more detail about dr. Petrova’s background and expertise.
* Develop thought-provoking questions for the interview that encourage Dr. Petrova to share insightful analysis and opinions about the events.
* **fact-checking and sources:**
* Ensure that all information is accurate and supported by reliable sources. Provide citations or links to your sources.
**Overall:**
You have a strong foundation for a compelling news article. By expanding on the “why” and consequences, adding more visual elements and developing the interview further, you can create a truly insightful piece that sheds light on these meaningful events.
