Russian Cargo Likely Carrying Nuclear Submarine Reactors For North Korea Unexplainedly Sank Off Spain: Report

A Russian cargo ship likely carrying nuclear reactors for submarines for North Korea sank near Spain in unexplained circumstances, according to a new report.

CNN detailed that the vessel sustained a series of explosions and sank in late 2024, in the final days of Joe Biden’s presidency. It could have been a rare intervention by another country’s military to prevent Russia from sending the technology to its ally.

The outlet went on to detail that U.S. nuclear “sniffer” aircraft flew through over the sunken ship twice in the past year. The wreckage was also visited by a Russian spy ship, which set off further explosions.

The Spanish government released information about the issue in February after pressure from opposition lawmakers. It cited the Ursa Major’s captain, who said the vessel was carrying “components for two nuclear reactors similar to those used in submarines.” He did not know whether they carried nuclear fuel.

The ship endured three explosions on its starboard side, likely near the engine room, killing two crew members. The 14 surviving ones evacuated on a lifeboat and were picked up by a Spanish rescue boat. When debriefed by the country’s police and investigators, the captain was reluctant to speak about the ship’s content, fearing for his safety.

Elsewhere in the report, CNN noted that the development was likely prompted by Pyongyang’s decision to send at least 10,000 North Korean troops to fight in Russia’s war in Ukraine.