Russia Acknowledges Casualties from Sinking of Flagship Moskva: 20 Dead, 24 Wounded.

Casualty Figures from the Attack on the Cruiser Moskva

According to Novyny.live: For the first time, Russia has publicly disclosed the number of casualties from the April 2022 strike on the guided-missile cruiser Moskva. The Second Western District Military Court in Moscow announced that the explosion on the warship killed 20 crew members and left 24 others with injuries of varying severity. An additional eight personnel are considered missing. The sinking of the Moskva was a significant early blow to Russia's Black Sea Fleet during the full-scale invasion.

Circumstances of the Sinking

The Moskva was struck by anti-ship missiles, which triggered a fire and secondary explosions of onboard munitions. According to Russia's Defense Ministry, the vessel sank while under tow. It is widely reported that the cruiser was hit by Ukrainian Neptune anti-ship missiles. In connection with the attack, the commander of Ukraine's 406th Artillery Brigade of the Naval Forces, Andriy Shubin, has been sentenced in absentia to life imprisonment by a Russian court.

This official acknowledgment marks a notable development in understanding the human and material costs incurred by the Russian navy. Public admissions of such significant losses can impact military and civilian morale, as well as shape perceptions of the war both within Russia and internationally.