The Moskva cruise missile is the flagship of the Russian Black Sea Fleet and sank as it was towed back to port during bad weather after an explosion and fire, according to reports. Earlier, the Russian Defense Ministry said that the Soviet-era ship was severely damaged by fire, which Ukraine said was the result of a rocket attack. Image: The Moskva in Sevastopol, Crimea, on April 7. Photo: Maxar Technologies via AP The Moskva crew was evacuated to other ships in the area, the Russian Defense Ministry said, earlier acknowledging that it had suffered serious damage. “As a result of the fire on the Moskva cruise missile, ammunition was fired,” he was quoted as saying by the Tass news agency. The causes of the fire are being investigated, the ministry added. He later said: “The source of the fire in Moskva has been reduced. Ammunition explosions have stopped.” Russian officials have not confirmed reports that the ship was hit by a Ukrainian missile strike, and the Pentagon has not been able to confirm Ukraine’s allegations. Live updates for Ukraine Use the Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 3:02 While the mayor of Mariupol remains provocative, Russia publishes footage of an alleged surrender of Ukrainian troops. A “symbolic” event on both sides Earlier, Air Force Brigadier General Phil Osborne, the former head of the UK’s secret services, told Sky News that the Ukrainian version of events – that the fire was caused by a rocket attack – was “more likely” to be correct. The development is “quite symbolic on both sides,” he said, adding that Moskva is “a very important vessel for Russia.” Assuming the cruiser was actually hit by a Ukrainian missile, the collision is “less the loss of the ship and more a demonstration of Ukrainian capability,” Air Marshall Osborn added. Moskva, which dates back to Soviet times, was commissioned 40 years ago but has since been renovated, Osborn said. Follow the Daily Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker A missile strike could cause the Russians to “stand still”, he commented, which could have “real consequences for any possible attack on Odessa”. Ukraine claims Neptune missiles were used Ukrainian media previously reported that two Neptune missiles, which are anti-ship missiles, were used in the attack, but these allegations have not been independently verified. A Ukrainian source told Sky News: “It is on fire. The level of damage is being clarified … It is about 25 nautical miles from Snake Island.” Other key developments: The governor of Odessa, Maxim Martchenko, told the Telegram: “It has been confirmed that the Moskva missile cruiser today went exactly where it was sent by our border guards to Snake Island! “The Neptune missiles guarding the Black Sea caused very serious damage to the Russian ship. “Glory to Ukraine!” Subscribe to Ukraine War Calendars on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify and Spreaker His comments on Snake Island refer to an incident earlier in the war – the day after the Russian invasion began – when the Moskva was one of two Russian ships approaching the shoreline on the Black Sea. The Russians ordered 13 Ukrainian soldiers defending the island to surrender, but the Ukrainians responded by radio, telling Moscow and its crew to “go alone.” Initially, it was believed that Ukrainian soldiers had been killed, but the country’s navy later said they had been captured alive by Russia.
