Overview
- CNN's investigation published Tuesday highlighted a Spanish letter dated February 23, 2026 that says the captain admitted the cargo included parts for two submarine reactors.
- The Ursa Major sank on December 23, 2024 after explosions near the engine room off Cartagena, killing two crew members and leaving the wreck about 2,500 meters down.
- Flight data and U.S. comments show WC-135 radiation-detection planes flew over the site on August 28, 2025 and February 6, 2026 to sample air for nuclear debris.
- Media reports, not confirmed by officials, say the shipment may have been bound for North Korea, with experts noting the suspected VM-4SG submarine reactor parts weigh about 65 tons each.
- Russian vessels, including the research ship Yantar, operated over the wreck as Spain's seismic network logged four more blasts, while the owner called the loss a targeted terrorist attack and cited a 50-centimeter hole in the hull.