MOSCOW, December 25. /TASS/. A terrorist attack has been committed against the Russian ship Ursa Major in the Mediterranean Sea, the press service of the Oboronlogistics shipping company has told TASS.

"Oboronlogistics believes that on December 23, 2024, a pre-planned terrorist attack was committed against the vessel Ursa Major. According to testimonies by the vessel's crew , on December 23, 2024 at 1:50 pm Moscow time (10:50 am GMT) there were three consecutive explosions on the starboard side in the area of the stern. The vessel developed a 25-degree list - a clear sign water had begun to flood the ship's compartments," Oboronlogistics said.

The Ursa Major dry cargo ship wrecked in the Mediterranean Sea. According to the Russian Foreign Ministry's crisis and situation analysis center, the ship sank after an explosion in the engine room. The incident occurred in international waters between Spain and Algeria. Fourteen crew members out of the 16 were rescued. Two are missing.

Earlier, the press service of the Western Interregional Investigation Directorate for Transport of the Russian Investigative Committee told TASS that Russian investigators had launched criminal proceedings. Military expert Alexander Stepanov told TASS that he considered the emergency as an act of sabotage.