RUSSIA SAYS FLAGSHIP MISSILE CRUISER HAS SUNK AFTER EXPLOSION OFF COAST OF UKRAINE

Russia’s defense ministry has said a Russian warship that was damaged by an explosion on Wednesday has sunk in the black sea.

The Defense ministry said the flagship of Russia’s Black Sea Fleet, Moskby, which had 510-crew missile cruisers was being pulled to port when stormy seas caused it to sink, adding that the vessel lost its balance due to damage sustained in the hull as fire broke out after ammunition exploded.

Ukrainian military officials confirmed they struck the Moskva warship with Ukrainian-made Neptune missiles, a weapon designed after Russia’s annexation of Crimea in 2014, and the naval threat to Ukraine in the Black Sea.

The 12,490-tonne vessel is the biggest Russian warship to be sunk in action since World War Two, and the second major vessel Russia has lost since the start of its invasion.