The story of how the ageing Russian cruiser Moskva was blown up by ‘Neptune’ missiles in the worst naval tragedy since General Belgrano

UKRAINIAN troops deployed some of their most advanced missiles to destroy an old Soviet-era Russian vessel, sinking the General Belgrano, Britain’s largest naval loss.

Moskva, a Slava-class missile cruiser, has been in service on and off for for 40 years, and her loss would be the worst naval asset loss since World War II.

Drones are said to have been employed to harass the ship and distract its air defences before the missiles were launched from a secret battery near Odesa.

At least two of the missiles are then alleged to have impacted the ship, producing a large explosion and fire by detonating one of Moskova’s exposed deckside missile tubes.

Russia claims the ship has been evacuated, that it is still floating, and that the source of the fire is being “investigated,” but makes no mention of the hit.

Meanwhile, Ukraine has stated that the ship is likely to be sinking as the damage and harsh weather take their toll on the now-abandoned wreck.

Russia claims the ship is being hauled back to port, but no images of the damage have been released.

According to some Ukrainian sources, the ship has already flipped over and sunk.

Neptune missiles were just recently deployed into Ukrainian military service, with each weapon having a 330lb payload with a range of 170 miles.

The batteries, which are installed on the backs of big trucks, can hold up to 72 missiles.

Drones are thought to choose targets.

And as they flash towards the hostile ship, the missiles may reach velocities of almost 650 mph.

Putin is said to have been briefed on the accident, which is the latest setback in his stalemated campaign in Ukraine.

Moskova is the largest warship of her kind to be sunk in action since Britain sank the General Belgrano during the 1982 Falkland War.

In one of the most historic fights, HMS Conqueror sank the cruiser Belgrano with two Tigerfish torpedoes.

She perished together with 323 sailors, resulting in the worst loss of life throughout the fight.

And at least 300 people are believed to have died as a result of the Moskva hit.

Russia’s flagship has been operating in the Black Sea since the beginning of the war and is thought to have participated in attacks off the coast of Ukraine.

And she was famously advised to “f*** yourself” before starting fire on Snake Island defenders.

The 12,490-ton vessel has a long service history, having been put down in 1976 and entering service seven years later in 1983.

The ship is said to have been outfitted with anti-aircraft weaponry that were no match for the Ukrainian missiles.

She was formerly known as the Slava until being decommissioned in 1990 due to the Soviet Union’s demise.

The battleship was then reintroduced into service in 2000 as the flagship of the Black Sea Fleet.