A Russian intelligence collection vessel, Yantar, has arrived at the site of a sunken Russian cargo ship, raising questions about the true nature of the recovery mission.
The Yantar, a specialized vessel operated by Russia's Ministry of Defense Main Directorate of Deep Water Research (GUGI), reached the wreckage site on January 15th, located 40 nautical miles north of Oran, Algeria. The area marks where the cargo vessel MV Ursa Major sank on December 24th following reported engine room explosions.
The presence of Russian Rear Admiral Konovalov, commander of the 29th Special Purpose Submarine Brigade, aboard the Yantar suggests high-level interest in the recovery operation. Konovalov was spotted at a reception with Algerian military officials before the mission began.
The Yantar comes equipped with advanced underwater capabilities, including two three-man submersibles able to reach depths of 6,000 meters. The vessel has previously been involved in recovering sensitive military equipment and investigating underwater infrastructure.
The sunken MV Ursa Major, known for transporting military supplies between Russia and Syria, was carrying two 45-ton hatches for Russia's nuclear-powered icebreaker Rossiya and port cranes when it sank. Russian authorities claim the vessel was targeted in a terrorist attack, citing three successive explosions, though no evidence supports these claims.
Multiple theories surround the Yantar's mission: investigating the explosion's cause, destroying sensitive materials, or recovering the valuable icebreaker components. The recovery of the hatches could help avoid delays and additional costs in the sanctions-hit Russian shipbuilding industry.
The sinking occurred during a period when several Russian cargo vessels experienced technical difficulties, including two oil tankers that sank in the Black Sea's Kerch Strait on December 16th.