Moskva cruiser sink, 1 dead, 27 missing, says Russia

Russia said Friday that one crew member died and 27 others were missing when the missile cruiser Moskva sank last week, marking the country’s first acknowledgement of the tragedy since it occurred.

The Black Sea Fleet’s flagship had been leading Russia’s naval effort in the nearly two-month conflict in Ukraine, including the siege of Mariupol.

Families of sailors who served aboard the Moskva — including conscripts — took to social media after the ship sank, claiming their children were missing and seeking answers.

“As a result of a fire on April 13, the Moskva missile cruiser was seriously damaged due to the detonation of ammunition,“ the defence ministry said in a statement Russian news agency late Friday.

According to the ministry, “One serviceman was killed, and another 27 crew members went missing,” the ministry said, adding that “being evacuated

A senior Pentagon official said two Ukrainian missiles hit the Moskva before it sank in the Black Sea.

The announcement came after authorities said all crew members had been evacuated.

“The Russian defence ministry is providing all the necessary support and assistance to the families and friends of the deceased and the missing,“ the statement said.

It said, “an absolute majority” of contract servicemen wanted to stay aboard Black Sea Fleet ships.

Several Russian parents recently demanded answers about their missing children, but the Kremlin had previously refused to divulge any information about the warship’s casualties.

Several families have reported missing children serving on the Moskva on social media or in independent Russian or foreign press.

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