Russia’s Defense Ministry says a rocket-propelled grenade fired at the Moskva cruiser had exploded and exploded ammunition. But Maksym Marchenko, the Ukrainian governor of the area around the Black Sea port of Odessa, said Ukrainian forces had hit the cruiser with two missiles and caused “serious damage”. A satellite overview of Sevastopol and the Moskva ship in the left corner, shown on April 10 Credit: Maxar Technologies Ukrainian officials later said the ship sank, describing it as a “loud slap” to Moscow forces. Moscow said the cause of the fire had been “determined” – and did not confirm that it had been hit by Ukraine, adding later that the fire had been contained and the explosions had stopped. The ministry said the entire Moscow crew had been evacuated. The cruiser, which carries 16 missiles, usually has about 500 officers and crew, so removing it from the battle would significantly reduce Russia’s firepower in the Black Sea. Satellite imagery shows cruiser Moskva in the Crimean Black Sea port of Sevastopol on April 7, days before it was damaged Credit: Maxar Technologies However, despite Ukraine’s claims that the ship had sunk, the Russian Defense Ministry said the vessel remained afloat and would be towed to port, adding: “The main missile weapons were not damaged.” ITV News has not yet been able to independently verify the allegations of either side. There are two explanations for what happened – one is humiliating for Russia, the other is very humiliating for Russia, says Global Security author Rohit Kachroo Moskva is the same ship that the Ukrainians defended Snake Island off the south coast, they were told to go “f ***” after the Russians asked to surrender. Officials said the soldiers – who made headlines around the world – were killed shortly after their provocative message. But the group was captured, said Ukrainian officials, who were later released as part of an exchange of prisoners with Russian forces. Russia says the 500-strong crew at the Moskva cruiser has been evacuated. Photo here on April 10 Credit: Maxar Technologies Satellite images show the cruiser Moskva in and near the Black Sea port of Sevastopol in Crimea, days before it was damaged on April 7 and April 10, according to Maxar Technologies. The Moskva cruiser is the second major Russian ship known to have suffered severe damage since Moscow invaded Ukraine after the Orsk tanker hit and burned in the Sea of Azov in late March. Ukraine claimed that it had destroyed a Russian ship capable of carrying 20 tanks, 45 armored vehicles and 400 troops in the occupied port city of Berdyansk, and that it was a “huge target”. What you need to know – Listen to the news and analysis podcast Military analyst Oleg Zhdanov said the destruction of Moskva significantly boosted the morale of Ukrainian forces on the eve of a new wave of Russian attack on Donbas. The United Kingdom’s Ministry of Defense (MoD) warned of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s speech on Tuesday – in which he reiterated that he had launched a “special military operation” against Ukraine to protect Russia – stressing that his focus remains stable in eastern Ukraine. He said Russia was hitting Ukrainian forces in the Donbas region to prepare for a new attack and that the towns of Kramatorsk and Kostiantynivka were likely to be targets for similar levels of violence seen in other urban centers during the invasion. The Foreign Ministry said: “The combination of extensive missile and artillery raids and offensive efforts represents a reversal of traditional Russian military dogma. “However, this will require significant levels of force. Ukraine ‘s ongoing defense in Mariupol currently binds a significant number of Russian troops and equipment.” Ukraine’s military, meanwhile, said on Thursday that there was still “a continuing threat” of Russian missile use throughout Ukraine. A damaged tank in the foundation pit for a house under construction in Mariupol Credit: AP Armed Forces spokesman Oleksandr Shputun told a daily news release that Russia continued to carry out “systematic raids on military and political infrastructure” in Kharkov, northeast, Zaporizhzhia, southeast and east of Donetsk. “The enemy continues to build an air force near the eastern border of our state, strengthens artillery units and optimizes existing control, intelligence and medical support systems. There is a constant threat of enemy use of missile weapons throughout Ukraine,” he said. . Mr Shputun also said Russia was trying to mobilize “temporarily occupied territories” in eastern Donetsk and Luhansk. “In the town of Gorlovka, there are daily tours of houses and high-rise apartment buildings,” he added. Locals cook sitting at the entrance of their ruined apartment in Mariupol Credit: AP She said fierce fighting was continuing in the hit city of Mariupol in the Donetsk region, where the mayor told her more than 20,000 civilians had been killed and at least one war crime had been confirmed by European experts. The alleged attack on a ship by the Neptune cruise missile comes the same week that President Joe Biden called Russia’s actions in Ukraine “genocide” and approved new $ 800 million (60 609 million) military aid to Kyiv, saying the weapons from the West have supported Ukraine. we have fought so far and “we can not calm down now”. Ammunition includes artillery systems, armored personnel carriers and helicopters. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he was “sincerely grateful” to the United States for the new round of military aid, and that he and President Biden had discussed by telephone “even tougher sanctions” against Moscow and efforts to bring the Russians to justice. who committed war crimes in Ukraine. In his daily address to the nation late at night, Mr Zelenski also said he was grateful for the visit by the presidents of Poland, Estonia, Lithuania and Latvia on Wednesday. He said that these leaders “helped us from day one, those who did not hesitate to give us weapons, those who did not question whether they would impose sanctions”. Mr Zelensky also said work was under way to clear tens of thousands of unexploded ordnance, landmines and ammunition left behind in northern Ukraine by retreating Russians. In the latest of a series of high-level European politicians traveling to show support for Ukraine, the Irish Foreign Minister traveled to Kyiv on Thursday and planned to discuss how Ireland could “assist Ukraine in its application for candidate status”. country in the EU “.
