Ein russisches Schiff sank unter mysteriösen Umständen. Es könnte U-Boot-Atomreaktoren nach Nordkorea transportiert haben | CNN

Submission Statement: This long form, deeply researched article by CNN is a great read, like an old Cold War spy novel, but in 2024. 

It follows the last sailing of a Russian ship with a mysterious cargo officially listed as “two large manhole covers” headed through the Mediterranean to Vladivostok under escort from two Russian warships. 
While in Spanish waters, the cargo ship slows to a stop. Then it darts off in one direction, then comes a call for help. There was an explosion and two crew were killed. The 14 survivors were rescued by Spanish authorities. 

The cargo, the captain later confessss to Spanish rescuers, was actually two nuclear submarine reactors bound for North Korea. 

Since, multiple Russian ships have visited the wreck, visits which have usually been followed by explosions. American spy planes have also flown overhead multiple times. 

Geopolitically, the article is light. There’s a lot of questions.

– Why was Russia sending North Korea nuclear submarine engines in the first place?

– Did the United States really attack a Russian cargo ship, while under escort?

– Did the attack in Spanish waters play a role in the Spanish government’s current hostility towards Washington in the Iran War.

 – This happened in the dying days of Joe Biden’s presidency. Contextually, it would have been related to the Ukraine War, though it’s not immediately clear how?

lol wasnt there a storyline akin to this on the netflix show „The Diplomat“?