A “terrorist act” sank the sanctioned Russian cargo ship in the Mediterranean this week, the Kremlin-backed company that owns the vessel has claimed.

The ship, linked to Russia’s efforts to supply its forces in Syria, sank in international waters off Spain in the early hours of Tuesday.

The Oboronlogistika company said on Wednesday that it “thinks a targeted terrorist attack was committed on Dec 23, 2024, against the Ursa Major,” it said in a statement.

“Three consecutive explosions” took place on the ship before it began taking on water, added the company, which belongs to the Russian defence ministry.

It did not indicate who may have been behind the attack or why. It also did not provide the evidence that led to its conclusion.