The captain of a Russian warship that sank in the Black Sea died in an explosion after a missile strike, according to Ukrainian authorities.
First-class captain Anton Kuprin, 44, died in an explosion and fire aboard the Moscow, Anton Gerashchenko, an adviser to Ukraine’s interior ministry, told Telegram.
The flagship of the Russian Black Sea Fleet sank on Thursday while being towed to port in stormy weather after an explosion and fire on board, according to Russian news agencies quoted by the Defense Ministry.
Earlier, Moscow said that the 500th crew aboard the Soviet-era flying cruiser had been evacuated after the ammunition on board exploded, causing the fire. However, the United States has confirmed Ukraine’s claim that it struck the warship with two Neptune anti-ship missiles.
Russia, which has not acknowledged any attack, said the incident was under investigation.
“While the cruiser” Moscow “was towed to the port of destination, the ship lost stability due to damage to the hull by fire,” said the Ministry of Defense.
“The ship sank in rough seas,” it said.
A senior US official said on Friday that they believe the flagship of the Russian Black Sea Fleet has been hit by Ukrainian missiles.
A senior official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said these were Neptune anti-ship missiles. The United States believes there were Russian casualties, although figures are unclear, the official added.
Russia, which has not acknowledged the attack, says the sinking of its ship is being investigated
(Reuters)
The destruction of its missile cruiser has prompted Moscow to threaten Ukraine with intensified bombings, and she says they have already destroyed an anti-missile factory.
Defense Ministry spokesman Igor Konashenkov said: “High-precision Caliber naval-based missiles attacked a military facility on the outskirts of Kyiv with long range,” said Defense Ministry spokesman Igor Konashenkov.
“As a result of the attack on the Zhulyanski Vizar machine-building plant, workshops for the production and repair of long-range and medium-range anti-aircraft missile systems, as well as anti-ship missiles, were destroyed,” he added. .
“The number and scale of missile attacks on sites in Kyiv will increase,” he said.
This map shows the extent of the Russian invasion of Ukraine
(Images of the press association)
In other events, the bodies of more than 900 civilians were found in the Kyiv region after the withdrawal of Russian forces, said the chief of police in the area.
Andriy Nebitov, head of the regional police in Kyiv, said the bodies had been abandoned on the streets or temporarily buried. About 95 percent died from gunshot wounds, he added.
“Therefore, we understand that during the occupation, people were simply executed on the streets,” Mr Nebitov said.
More and more bodies are being found every day, under rubble and in mass graves, he added.
The highest number of victims was found in Bucha, where there are more than 350 bodies, the police chief said.
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