Russia’s most prominent warship, the Moskva, sank Thursday due to damage from a fire after being hit by a missile, according to the Ukrainian military.
“Russia said the source of the fire was unknown but had set off explosions of ammunition on board. A statement by the Russian Defense Ministry, reported by state agencies, said the ship sank in stormy weather due to structural damage as it was being towed to port,” The Wall Street Journal reported.
“As the result of a fire on the Moskva missile cruiser, ammunition detonated. The ship was seriously damaged,” the Russian Defense Ministry said in a statement. “The crew was completely evacuated.”
According to BBC News, Russian state news agency TASS quoted the Russian government as saying, “While being towed … towards the destined port, the vessel lost its balance due to damage sustained in the hull as fire broke out after ammunition exploded. Given the choppy seas, the vessel sank.”
“The 12,500 tonne ship has a crew of around 500,” Reuters reported. “Russian news agencies said the Moskva was armed with 16 anti-ship ‘Vulkan’ cruise missiles, which have a range of at least 700 km (440 miles).”
“The loss of the Moskva represents a significant blow to Russia’s military and compromises security for its entire Black Sea Fleet. Russian ships in the Black Sea have been used to fire cruise missiles at Ukrainian cities since the war began on Feb. 24, targeting infrastructure, fuel depots, military bases and civilian administrative buildings,” The Wall Street Journal reported.
“It’s a hugely important military event and the biggest defeat of the Russian Navy since World War II,” Ukrainian presidential adviser Oleksiy Arestovych said on social media. He also noted that the sinking of the ship is particularly important because “Moskva” is Russian for Moscow.
