Russia's Soviet-Era Missile Cruiser, Moskva, Sinks While Towing Back To Port

Russia has pledged to ramp up missile attacks on Kyiv after its main battleship, the Soviet-era missile cruiser named Moskva, sank in the Black Sea. The Moskva sank when it was being towed to the port in rough seas following a blast of ammo resulting in a fire, per the Kremlin.

Ukraine says that it attacked the ship with missiles that were reportedly fired from the coast. However, Russia has not confirmed the same. The crew comprising over 500 individuals was evacuated, mentioned the defense ministry of Russia.

Explosions could be heard in cities, including Kyiv, after the huge ship sank. On Friday, Russia had claimed to have hit a factory in the capital that repairs and makes anti-ship missiles.

Russian navy vessel — Image Credits: Russian MoD

The sinking of the largest ship of Russia in the war started by them is a significant loss. However, the Kremlin has not acknowledged a Ukrainian attack yet.

The Moskva that dates back to the Soviet era had been commissioned 40 years ago. However, it was refitted. It had guided missiles to attack enemy aircraft and the shore, as well as radar to provide an air defense cover for its fleet.

In other news

Air raid sirens had been going off over Ukraine overnight into Friday. As well as Kyiv, blasts could be heard in the city of Kherson in the south, the city of Kharkiv in the east, and the city of Ivano-Frankivsk in the west.

The capital of Ukraine has displayed signs of pre-war life after Russia’s troops were unsuccessful in capturing the city and retreated to maintain its focus on a concentrated assault in the eastern part of Ukraine.

The Kremlin, meanwhile, continues to marshal forces for a new offensive in the eastern part of Ukraine. Extra equipment has reached the north of Donbas and in western Russia, per a senior official of the US defense team.

On Thursday, the official mentioned that Russia was “shaping operations”; however, the fresh offensive had somehow not started.

Further south, the besieged Mariupol remains contested between Russia’s forces and the defenders. Russian naval forces have moved further south after the Moskva sank, the US official added.

Reference: hindustantimes.com