The crew members who survived the sinking of the missile cruiser “Moscow” are said to have met with the head of the Russian fleet.
Photos published by the country’s defense ministry appear to show sailors coming face to face with Admiral Nikolai Evmenov in the Crimean city of Sevastopol.
According to a statement, the commander-in-chief told the crew that they would continue to serve in the navy.
Image: Russia claims that “Moscow” sank due to a fire with ammunition
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In a 26-second video, Mr. Evmenov and two other officers are seen standing in front of dozens of soldiers in a parade square, but it is unclear when the meeting took place.
Moscow has confirmed that the Moscow sank after an ammunition explosion late Wednesday night – and that it happened while the missile cruiser was being towed to the port in stormy seas.
Ukraine has said it hit the ship – the flagship of Russia’s Black Sea Fleet – with missiles after it reportedly used a drone to deflect its radar. The United States later said it believed Moscow had been hit by two Ukrainian Neptune anti-ship missiles.
While Russia said all 500 crew members on board were rescued after the blast, Ukrainian authorities say there have been deaths.
Image: Anton Kuprin, captain of the flagship “Moscow”, sunk in the Black Sea. Photo: Russian Ministry of Defense
Captain Anton Kuprin is said to be among those killed, but no evidence has been provided to confirm this.
The Pentagon believes there are Russian casualties, although the exact number remains unclear at this stage.
Image: The admiral told the sailors that they would stay in the fleet. Photo: Russian Ministry of Defense
It is not yet known why Moscow’s air defense systems did not turn on – but the missiles may have come at a large angle that avoids them, or the drone may have dispersed them.
There may also be maintenance issues – and air defense systems may not have been included.
Moscow first joined the Soviet Navy in 1983.
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3:18 What does the sinking of Moscow mean for Russia?
Defense and security analyst Michael Clark said that while the loss of Moscow did not deprive the Russian navy of many opportunities, it was certainly a major blow to its prestige.
He writes: “The cruiser acted as a control center for about 30 ships that the Russians had in the Black Sea.
“The loss of the flagship” Moscow “is a huge PR blow for the Kremlin – the Russians have not lost their flagship from the Russo-Japanese War of 1904.”
Clark believes that the sinking of Moscow also means that any Russian attack on the decisive port city of Odessa will now be more difficult for Vladimir Putin’s forces.
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