War in Ukraine: Russian cruiser Moskva “severely damaged” by an explosion of ammunition
The Russian cruiser Moskva on February 12, 2022. AFP - HANDOUT
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The Russian cruiser Moskva was "severely damaged" by an ammunition explosion caused by a fire, Russian state agencies reported Thursday, citing the Defense Ministry.
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“
Due to a fire, ammunition exploded on board the missile cruiser Moskva.
The ship was badly damaged
,” according to the ministry quoted by Tass and Ria Novosti agencies.
The crew was fully evacuated and an investigation is underway to determine the cause of the fire, he added.
Russian agencies did not specify the location of the incident.
Ukrainian authorities previously claimed that the Moskva was on fire after being hit by missiles.
"
Neptune missiles protecting the Black Sea have caused significant damage to this Russian ship
," said Ukrainian governor of the Odessa region (south), Maxime Marchenko.
An adviser to the Ukrainian president, Oleksiï Arestovitch, for his part declared on YouTube “
that a surprise has arrived at the flagship of the Russian Black Sea Fleet
”.
“
He burns with intensity.
Now.
And with this rough sea, it is impossible to know when they will be able to receive help
,” he said, assuring that “
510 crew members
” were on board.
"
We don't understand what happened
," he added.
The cruiser Moskva had participated in the first days of the invasion in an attack against Serpents' Island, located in the Black Sea near the Romanian border, during which 19 Ukrainian sailors had been captured.
They had subsequently been exchanged for Russian prisoners.
(
With
AFP)
All of our daily, live coverage of the war in Ukraine.
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