**Russia‘s Navy Facing Major Issues**
The Ukrainian Navy is pointing out that Russia has big problems with its fleet. This comes after a Russian cargo ship, the Ursa Major, exploded and sank in the Mediterranean Sea.
“We have systemic problems with maintenance,” said Dmytro Pletenchuk, spokesperson for the Ukrainian Navy. “Their vessels often have foreign-made parts, which can be a problem, especially in the engine room.”
The explosion on the Ursa Major happened on December 23. Fourteen crew members were rescued, but two are still missing.
Pletenchuk said that Russia’s problems with maintenance affect both civilian and military ships. He pointed out that information about the Russian fleet is often slow to be released, which can make it harder to track their activities.
**Ursa Major: A Ship with a History**
The Ursa Major was built in 2009 and had been under sanctions since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine began. Some analysts believe the ship may have been part of a convoy evacuating military equipment from Syria.
**Russia’s Military Problems**
Pletenchuk emphasized that Russia’s problems with its fleet are not just limited to civilian ships, but also affect their military vessels.
“The Russians have a systemic problem,” he said. “It is quite expectedly reflected in the general condition of their fleet.”
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