The logistics of war are often as decisive as the battles themselves.
Supplies, equipment, and transport routes keep armies operational, and when these lifelines are disrupted, the impact can be devastating.
For Russia, which has heavily relied on its fleet to maintain supply chains, a recent maritime incident highlights the growing challenges it faces.
A Russian cargo ship, the Ursa Major, sank off the coast of Spain late Monday, after an explosion in its engine room.
The 142-meter vessel had been en route from Saint Petersburg to Vladivostok but had made unscheduled stops in the Mediterranean.
This included prior visits to Tartus, a key Russian naval base in Syria, according to Hotnews.
The explosion occurred in the Strait of Gibraltar, forcing the ship off course before it began to list and eventually sank.
Rescue teams responded quickly, saving 14 crew members. However, two sailors remain missing, and efforts to locate them continue.
Spanish naval forces and other vessels, including the Russian-flagged Sparta, assisted in the operation.
Authorities have warned nearby ships to remain cautious due to debris from the sunken vessel.
The Ursa Major was not just any cargo ship. Operated by a subsidiary of Russia’s Oboronlogistika, the vessel had been under Western sanctions since 2022.
It was considered a critical link in Moscow's supply chain to Tartus, often transporting heavy cranes and other equipment deemed vital for military operations in Syria.
Its loss is a significant blow to Russian logistics in the region.
Western analysts speculate on the cause of the explosion, but no official explanation has been provided.
