The Russian missile cruiser Moskva, flagship of the Black Sea fleet, sank while being towed into port amid stormy sea conditions, the defense ministry in Moscow said on Thursday. According to the Russian military, the warship’s hull had been damaged by an ammunition explosion, itself caused by a fire on board, on Wednesday.
Ukrainian officials claimed their forces had struck the vessel with anti-ship missiles. The Pentagon said it could not confirm the claim. A US drone circled above the cruiser on Thursday, monitoring its progress towards Sevastopol.