On December 23, 2024, the Russian cargo ship Ursa Major sank off the coast of Spain following a series of unexplained explosions. Initially, the ship's manifest indicated it was carrying 129 empty containers and two large 'manhole covers' to Vladivostok. However, under interrogation, the captain, Igor Anisimov, admitted that the covers were actually components for two nuclear reactors, potentially intended for North Korea. The ship was tracked moving along the European coast under military escort when it issued a distress signal after three explosions occurred near its engine room, leading to the deaths of two crew members. Despite initial stability, the situation deteriorated with additional explosions detected, suggesting a possible targeted underwater strike. The Ursa Major now lies at a depth of around 2,500 meters in the Mediterranean, and Spanish authorities have deemed recovery of its black box unfeasible. This incident raises significant concerns regarding military cooperation between Russia and North Korea, especially following North Korea's troop support for Russia's invasion of Ukraine.