Russia’s sunken Moskva flagship to become diving destination following Ukraine’s win, says defense minister
Cruiser Moskva goes to the bottom (Photo:OSINTtechnical)
Russia’s Black Sea Fleet flagship the Moskva, sunk by Ukraine a year ago today, will become a popular destination for divers following Ukraine’s victory, Ukrainian Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov wrote on Facebook on April 12.
“I’m sure the Moskva will become one of the most popular locations for divers after our victory,” he said.
“Tourists from all over the world will raise glasses of fantastic Crimean wine in Ukrainian Crimea to a wonderful toast – ‘Bottoms up to the Russian military fleet!’”
The minister recalled that one year ago, the Ukrainian Navy rewrote centuries-old history by hitting Russia’s Moskva missile cruiser, the then flagship of Russia’s Black Sea Fleet, with Neptune anti-ship missiles. The cruiser sank the following day.
“Remember the mood of a year ago,” Reznikov said.
“The event was so inspiring and incredible that many thought it couldn’t be true. After all, the last time Russia lost its flagship was more than a century ago.”
Ukraine’s Armed Forces struck the Moskva missile cruiser with two Neptune anti-ship missiles on April 13, 2022. The cruiser sank as a result of damage sustained from the missile strike.
Russia initially attempted to downplay the attack, stating that a fire had broken out and the ship was returning to port. However, by the evening of April 14, the Russian Defense Ministry admitted that the Moskva had sunk.
The Moskva had a crew of 510 marines; only 58 were rescued, said Oleksiy Danilov, secretary of Ukraine’s National Security and Defense Council.
Families of Moskva sailors are being silenced about their dead relatives under threat of non-payment of compensation, Ukrainian intelligence says.
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