A Russian cargo ship that sank after a series of explosions 17 months ago was likely headed to North Korea carrying nuclear submarine reactors, according to a report. The Ursa Major sank in the Mediterranean Sea off the coast of Spain on 23 December 2024, shortly before midnight. The explosions and sinking of the vessel sparked concerns and curiosity due to its long voyage and Russia taking over operations as soon as another warship arrived. The 142-metre-long vessel, also known as Sparta 3 and owned by the Russian state-linked Oboronlogistics, departed from St Petersburg and was bound for Vladivostok in Russia ’s Far East, carrying two large manhole covers, 129 empty shipping containers, and two large Liebherr cranes. Two crew members were killed, and 14 were evacuated on a lifeboat. They later said that three explosions had occurred near the ship’s engine room.…