Russia has confirmed that the missile cruiser “Moscow”, the flagship of its Black Sea Fleet, sank while being towed to the port after a fire and explosions involving ammunition stored on board.
Ukraine says the fate of “Moscow” was decided by a missile strike by its forces from the shore, which tore apart the massive hull of the Soviet-era ship.
Read more: Russia bombs Kiev factory after Moscow warship sinks in Black Sea
The Russian Ministry of Defense did not confirm this version of events. Reuters is unable to verify the allegations of either side.
A senior U.S. defense official says the United States believes the Russian missile cruiser that sank was hit by at least one Ukrainian anti-ship missile, according to the Kyiv government.
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Pentagon officials said earlier that they could not confirm the Ukrainian claim, but also did not refute it.
A senior U.S. defense official, speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss an intelligence assessment, said Moscow was hit by at least one and possibly two Neptune missiles on Wednesday, sparking a major fire. on board the ship.
The official did not provide further details, except that the United States believes that the Russians have suffered a number of casualties on board the ship.
Here’s what we know and what it means (and doesn’t mean) sinking for Russia’s combat readiness:
What opportunities does the sinking deprive Russia of?
Russia has powerful air defense systems located in Crimea, which it seized from Ukraine in 2014, but Moscow has managed to provide long-range and mobile air defense protection for the entire Black Sea Fleet and was a floating command and control center.
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This satellite image, provided by Maxar Technologies, shows the cruiser Moscow in the Crimean port of Sevastopol on April 7. Satellite Image © 2022 Maxar Technologies via AP
Its loss worsens the navy’s air defenses, especially on longer-range missions.
What happened to the crew?
The ship had a crew of about 500 sailors, whom Russia said were successfully evacuated to other ships before being returned to their native port of Sevastopol in Crimea on Friday.
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Read more: Russian warship “Moscow” sinks after fire, noting serious failure in the war in Ukraine
Ukraine speculates that there may have been deaths, but Russia has not yet said anything on the subject.
Will the loss change the course of the war in Ukraine?
It is unlikely, but the British Ministry of Defense says the loss is likely to force Russia to reconsider its naval position in the Black Sea. U.S. officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, said that while the sinking had a symbolic impact and potentially raised questions about Russia’s long-term naval capabilities, it was unlikely to have a major impact on the conflict. The Russian navy has not played a big role so far.
A November 15, 2013 file shows the Russian Navy’s guided missile cruiser Moscow crossing the Dardanelles Strait in Canakkale, Turkey. Russia’s Defense Ministry says a fire broke out on April 14 on the naval cruiser Moscow, while Ukrainian authorities say it was hit by a missile. Burak Akai / Anadolu Agency via Getty Images
An American official said Russia had used its warships only to a limited extent to make occasional strikes and supply its troops to the south. Russia retains naval dominance in the immediate region, and Moscow has been equipped to destroy enemy ships at sea, but little remains of Ukraine’s navy.
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Will the Russian navy now change its way of working and does it matter?
Yes, it will, but this change is not seen as extremely significant. Following the start of the Moscow fire, which US authorities believe may be a Ukrainian attack, about five Russian warships in the northern Black Sea have moved further offshore, about 80 nautical miles.
Read more: Russia holds fire on Moscow warship as Ukraine claims missile strike
But US officials said they believed these ships were still capable of striking Ukraine from that distance and were less likely to be targeted by Ukrainians so far from shore.
The Institute for War Studies (ISW), a Washington-based think tank, said the ability of the Ukrainian military to strike Russian warships in the Black Sea could force the Russian navy to deploy additional air defenses and other defenses.
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Was Moscow’s role in the conflict envisaged?
It is not clear, but some analysts say it may have helped support a possible Russian landing in the Ukrainian port of Odessa, which has not yet happened due to resistance from Ukrainian forces.
In this file photo provided by the press service of the Russian Ministry of Defense, the Russian naval missile cruiser “Moscow” patrolled the Mediterranean near the Syrian coast on December 17, 2015. Press service of the Russian Ministry of Defense through the AP
Its sinking could be seen in some circles in Ukraine as reducing the chances of such an attack and allowing Ukraine to redeploy some of its forces elsewhere.
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Can Russia easily replace Moscow’s capabilities?
No. Russia has two other ships of the same class, Marshal Ustinov and Varyag, which serve in Russia’s Northern and Pacific Fleets, respectively.
Turkey, which controls access to the Black Sea via the Bosphorus, will not allow them to enter during the war.
Is Moscow armed with unique weapons?
No. It had anti-ship missiles and surface-to-air missiles, but was not equipped with the latest generation of Russian Caliber cruise missiles or hypersonic missiles.
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How modern was the ship?
Not many. Designed in the 1970s by the Soviet Union during the Cold War, it was designed to destroy American aircraft carriers and has been in service for nearly four decades.
It underwent extensive repairs and, according to the British Ministry of Defense, returned to operational condition only in 2021. Despite this re-equipment, some of its hardware remained obsolete.
How big a blow is this for Russian military pride?
This is a bitter loss for the Russian military, as the ship, although obsolete, was a symbol of the Crimean-based Black Sea Fleet and Russian military pride. If it had been pierced by Ukrainian anti-ship missiles, it would have been the largest Russian warship lost in action since 1941, when German dive bombers maimed the Soviet warship Marat in the port of Kronstadt.
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The sinking, whether through Ukrainian missile strikes or an accident, “is a major propaganda victory for Ukraine,” the ISW said in a statement. Western diplomats and experts expect senior Black Sea Fleet officers to lose their jobs due to the sinking.
– Report by Reuters reporters and Idris Ali and Jonathan Landai in Washington; With files from the Associated Press
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