One of Russia's most prized warships has sunk in the Black Sea following an explosion and subsequent fire.
Russia's state-owned media said the Moskva sank below the surface of the ocean while it was being towed back to a port in the region during stormy conditions.
The Tass news agency said: "As a result of a fire on the Moskva missile cruiser, ammunition detonated.
Advert
"The source of the blaze on the Moskva has been contained. The explosions of ammunition have stopped."
It's unclear what sparked the fire and explosion.
Ukraine has taken responsibility for the incident and said it came following a missile strike from their side, however it could have been the result of an onboard accident.
According to Ukrainian officials, the 12,500-tonne ship had been hit by two anti-ship missiles. It's believed the 500-strong crew have also been saved.
Advert
Odesa's governor Maksim Marchenko wrote on Telegram, as per Sky News: "It has been confirmed that the missile cruiser Moscow today went exactly where it was sent by our border guards on Snake Island!
"Neptune missiles guarding the Black Sea caused very serious damage to the Russian ship. Glory to Ukraine!"
Ukrainian presidential advisor Oleksiy Arestovych also claimed said "a surprise happened with the flagship of the Russian Black Sea Fleet... it burns strongly. Right now," the MailOnline reports.
"And with this stormy sea it is unknown whether they will be able to receive help. There are 510 crew members. We don't understand what happened."
Russia's defence ministry claimed the missile cruiser was damaged after on-board ammunition exploded due to a fire, but didn't confirm what started the blaze in the first place.
Advert
The Moskva missile cruiser is a significant vessel in the Russian invasion into Ukraine.
On February 24, early on in Vladimir Putin's 'special military operation', the Russian warship began an assault on Snake Island, a small Ukrainian island in the Black Sea with just one village and less than 30 people.
During the attack, Russian forces asked the small contingent of soldiers to surrender.
"Put down your arms and surrender, or you will be bombed. Have you understood me? Do you copy?" they said, to which the Ukrainians replied: "Russian warship, go f**k yourself."
Advert
In the initial reports surrounding the Snake Island assault, it was believed the 13 Ukrainian soldiers were all killed. However, they were actually taken into custody by Russian forces and later released as part of a prisoner exchange.
Roman Gribov, who told the warship 'go f**k yourself', has since been awarded the highest Ukrainian honour, the Hero of Ukraine.
If you would like to donate to the Red Cross Emergency Appeal, which will help provide food, medicines and basic medical supplies, shelter and water to those in Ukraine, click here for more information
Topics: Russia, World News
