The Russian warship Moskva has sunk, Russian state news agency TASS reported, citing a statement from the Russian Ministry of Defense.
“During the towing of the cruiser Moskva to the port of destination, the ship lost its stability due to hull damage received during a fire from the detonation of ammunition. In the conditions of stormy seas, the ship sank,” the statement said according to TASS.
But Ukraine has claimed damaging the warship with anti-ship missiles on the Black Sea on Wednesday, and most Western analysts believe the Ukrainian version of the report.
The ship, with her guided missile equipment, was used in prisoner swap with Ukraine in February, and had been deployed in shelling the port city before she got scuttled.