Moskva Russian warship sinks in the Black Sea
Moskva, the flagship of Russia's Black Sea Fleet, was being towed to port when "stormy seas" caused it to sink, according to a ministry message.
The 510-crew missile cruiser symbolised Russia's military power, leading its naval assault on Ukraine.
Kyiv says its missiles hit the warship. The United States says it also believes Ukrainian missiles hit it.
Moscow has not reported any attack - it says the vessel sank after a fire.
The blaze caused the explosion of the warship's ammunition, Russia says, adding that the entire crew were later evacuated to nearby Russian vessels in the Black Sea.
After saying initially that the warship was afloat, late on Thursday, the Russian defence ministry announced that the Moskva had been lost.
The 12,490-tonne vessel is the most significant Russian warship to be sunk in action since World War Two.
"While towed... towards the destined port, the vessel lost its balance due to damage sustained in the hull as fire broke out after ammunition exploded. Given the choppy seas, the vessel sank," the Russian defence ministry said.
Ukraine has said the captain of the warship was killed on board.
Anton Gerashchenko, an adviser to Ukraine's ministry of internal affairs, shared the claim on Telegram, saying that the ship's captain, Anton Kuprin, had died during an "explosion and fire on board".
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