Russia’s flagship cruiser “Moscow” sank in a “stormy sea” while being towed to a port in the Black Sea, the Russian Defense Ministry said.
Ukraine’s southern military command said late Wednesday that it had hit Moscow with Neptune anti-ship missiles, causing it to sink and forcing the crew to leave the ship.
Russia’s Defense Ministry initially denied reports that it had sunk and said the fires had been put out. Four Russian ships that went to rescue “Moscow” were prevented by stormy weather and the detonation of ammunition on board, the statement said.
But late Thursday, the ministry said in a statement: “The Moscow cruiser lost its stability when it was towed to port due to damage to the ship’s hull, which it received during the fire from the detonation of ammunition. In stormy sea conditions, the ship sank.
The crew was evacuated to other ships, the ministry said.
The apparent attack and sinking of the Black Sea Fleet’s flagship – 50 days after Putin launched his invasion of Ukraine – is a symbolic blow to the Kremlin. “Moscow” was the pride of the Russian Black Sea Fleet and the most prestigious ship involved in the war against Ukraine.
“The sinking of Moscow, the flagship of the Black Sea Fleet, is not just a significant loss, it is emblematic of Russia’s outrageous military campaign,” said Michael Coffman, director of research and an expert on Russia at the Center for Naval Analysis.
Put into service in 1983, the ship is armed with 16 Vulkan anti-ship cruise missiles with a range of at least 440 miles (700 km). He also reportedly carried S-300 anti-aircraft missiles, which are crucial to Russia’s air superiority over Crimea and Ukraine’s Kherson region, now occupied by Russian troops.
It is the most important naval ship sunk since the Argentine cruiser General Belgrano was torpedoed by the British submarine HMS Conqueror in 1982.
Western officials have described Ukrainians’ claims that they hit Moscow with anti-ship missiles as “credible.” A senior U.S. defense official noted that five other Russian ships as close to or closer to the Ukrainian coast as Moscow have moved at least another 20 nautical miles offshore since the blast, suggesting an attempt to go out of range of Ukrainian missiles.
“Moscow” became famous at the beginning of the war, when the crew demanded the surrender of Ukrainian forces on Snake Island, provoking a response from the island’s border guards: “Russian warship, go fuck yourself.”
The phrase instantly became a symbol of national disobedience and is now a universal meme. It appeared on a new national postage stamp, as well as on checkpoints, shop windows, Ukrainian military vehicles and personal cars.
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