China News Service, April 15 (Reporter Meng Xiangjun) The 10,000-ton missile cruiser, the flagship of the Russian Black Sea Fleet "Moscow", caught fire and exploded on April 14, local time. The hull was severely damaged and was towed to the destination port. sunk in the process.
A legendary warship that has experienced ups and downs for nearly 40 years has just ended its mission.
Regarding the cause of the disaster, the Russian side said that the fire caused an explosion of ammunition on board, and Ukrainian officials said that the flagship was hit by a Ukrainian navy missile off the coast of Odessa.
Russia and Ukraine insisted on their own words, and the incident fell into "Rashomon" again.
Missile cruiser "Moscow".
Image source: Russian Ministry of Defense.
【Missile attack? each hold a word]
Several mainstream media in Russia have previously quoted a statement from the Russian Ministry of Defense as saying that a fire broke out on the cruiser "Moscow", which caused the explosion of ammunition stored on the sideboard, which seriously damaged the ship.
The good news is that no one was injured and the entire crew was evacuated.
On the 14th, the Russian Ministry of Defense confirmed that the ship lost its stability and sank in the wind and waves while being towed to the destination Crimea port for maintenance.
As pointed out by Reuters and others, the "Moscow" is unusual. It is the flagship of Russia's Black Sea Fleet, a 10,000-ton "Slava-class" "Big Mac" ship, which is of extraordinary significance to the Russian army.
Such an important warship, if it is gone, it will be gone?
The Russian Ministry of Defense did not elaborate, only stating that "the cause of the fire is being determined."
Data map: Russian Black Sea Fleet ships.
Image source: Russian Ministry of Defense
Ukraine's Odessa Governor Marchenko immediately stated that the ship was hit by two "Neptune" anti-ship missiles launched by the Ukrainian Navy.
However, this claim has not been confirmed by other sources.
Is the "Neptune" anti-ship missile very powerful?
According to reports, this missile is made in Ukraine and was planned to be put into use by the end of 2021.
Russia's MASHNEWS news network quoted industry insiders as saying that given that the "Moscow" has a strong air defense system, it is "unlikely" that the ship was hit by Ukrainian missiles, and human factors cannot be ruled out.
[Russia lost "two legends"]
The "Moscow" became the second major warship lost by Russia since the outbreak of the Russian-Ukrainian conflict.
In late March, the Russian landing ship "Orsk" was hit by a Ukrainian missile at the Azov seaport in Uberdyansk.
Let's take a look at the specific situation of the "Moscow":
"Moscow" information
·Type: guided missile cruiser
·Class: "Slava" class
· Name: Formerly known as "Glorious", renamed "Moscow" in 1996
· Construction and start of service: 1982-1983
Captain: 186 meters
·Speed: 32 knots
· Displacement: 11490 tons
· Crew: 500 people
·Equipment (incomplete):
16 "Jewel" cruise missile launchers
AK-130 artillery system
20 short-range surface-to-air missiles
64 long-range S-30F Reeve missiles
533mm torpedo
1 Ka-27 helicopter
The "Moscow"'s military career began in 1983. It was refitted in the 1990s and became the flagship of the Russian Navy's permanent task force in the Mediterranean in the second half of 2015. It was on duty in Syria to provide support for combating terrorism.
Its air defense system can cover Russia's Khmeimim air base in Syria.
Since 2018, the "Moscow" has undergone major repairs, replacing large engines, radio technology systems, cables, etc.
This time the Russian army entered Ukraine, and it participated in the "surprise attack" on Chongyao Snake Island in the Black Sea and provided logistical support.
Unexpectedly, the legendary warship fell into the sand like this.
Earlier, the deputy commander of the Russian Black Sea Fleet was killed in the Battle of Mariupol.
Image credit: Russian Geographical Society
In fact, after the Russian-Ukrainian conflict, the Russian Black Sea Fleet also lost a general.
On March 20, local time, the deputy commander of the Russian Black Sea Fleet, first-class captain Andrei Parly, was confirmed to be killed in the battle in Mariupol.
Born in Kyiv, Ukraine, Parly graduated from the Kyiv Naval Academy of Political Science in 1992.
However, after graduation, he refused to swear allegiance to Ukraine and instead served in the Russian Northern Fleet.
[Ukraine won a "major victory"? 】
Reuters and other Western media pointed out that if the attack in Ukraine is confirmed, it may be the most daring attack by the Ukrainian coastal defense forces so far.
At the same time, the move will show that Ukrainian anti-ship missile stocks are capable of penetrating heavy air defenses.
The loss of the ship "would be a major tactical and propaganda victory for Ukraine," the commentary said.
Back in history, the Black Sea Fleet had a glorious page.
It used to belong to the Soviet Union and made a name for itself in the fight against fascism in World War II.
After the disintegration of the Soviet Union, the Black Sea Fleet was divided between Russia and Ukraine. For Russia, this fleet is an important military force to defend the Transcaucasian coast, the Black Sea economic zone and deter potential enemies, and it is of extraordinary value.
Data map: NATO ship Black Navy exercise.
The United States has been "fighting" with Russia in the Black Sea for a long time.
In 2021, U.S. ships will pass through the Black Sea seven times, and the Russian side will be on high alert and follow and monitor.
In Ukraine, as Russia and Ukraine have shifted their focus to the Donbas region, the United States and the West are stepping up their supply of arms to Ukraine.
On April 13, the United States announced an additional $800 million in military assistance to Ukraine, including artillery systems, armored personnel carriers and helicopters.
That brings total U.S. military aid to more than $2.5 billion.
France, Germany, and the United Kingdom also made more commitments.
[The event heralds three changes? 】
By all indications, this event could herald three key changes:
1. The pattern of Russia's actions in Ukraine may change.
Whether it is missiles or fires, the "martyrdom" of this iconic Russian warship has become a reality, which must be a setback to the morale of the Russian army and cause psychological pressure.
Russia’s actions in Ukraine may be forced to make further adjustments, such as changing its action strategy and shortening the duration of its actions, so as to avoid more similar losses in the future.
Data map: Russian Black Sea Fleet ships.
Image source: Russian Ministry of Defense.
At the same time, as the US NATO stimulates Russia more and more, Russia also shows the idea of possibly attacking NATO lightweight targets such as military vehicles.
Second, the U.S. strategy for the conflict between Russia and Ukraine is changing.
It can be seen from the interpretation of foreign media that the United States and NATO are no longer limited to providing weapons, but have begun to expand intelligence sharing with Ukraine, indicating that the United States and the West are eager to try, trying to extend their hands longer and intervene in the situation more deeply.
This may indeed mark a shift in the Biden administration's strategy for handling the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
Data map: Russian President Vladimir Putin visited Crimea and took a submarine in the Black Sea.
3. Ukraine's thinking changes with the situation and changes again and again.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's remarks are changeable, and he is the only one who knows the best.
When the Russian army attacked the vicinity of Kyiv, Zelensky expressed his willingness to compromise on issues such as neutrality, Crimea and Donbass; , Zelensky overturned the previous statement and no longer promised not to join NATO.
When the "decisive battle" in the Donbass was about to break out, Russian President Vladimir Putin believed that the negotiations had "entered a dead end", and Zelensky also said that there was no other way but to negotiate.
The wind direction at the negotiating table is really determined by the battlefield situation.
This time the Russian army suffered losses, what kind of changes might the Ukrainian side have?
(Finish)