The Russian Ministry of Defense revealed on Thursday that the Moskva — the flagship of Vladimir Putin's Black Sea fleet — sunk while being towed to port for repairs.
Ukrainians have claimed the ship was hit by two missiles.
ABC News correspondent James Longman provided a rough translation of the statement saying "the Moskva cruiser lost its stability when it was towed to the port of destination due to damage to the hull received during the fire from the detonation of ammunition. The ship sank in a stormy sea."
Will Vernon of BBC translated the statement as saying, "The cruiser, whilst being towed into port, due to hull damage sustained during the fire that resulted from ammunition exploding, lost stability [tipped over]. Due to stormy conditions, the ship sunk."
\u041a\u0440\u0435\u0439\u0441\u0435\u0440 "\u041c\u043e\u0441\u043a\u0432\u0430" \u0437\u0430\u0442\u043e\u043d\u0443\u043b \u043f\u0440\u0438 \u0431\u0443\u043a\u0441\u0438\u0440\u043e\u0432\u043a\u0435 \u0432 \u0443\u0441\u043b\u043e\u0432\u0438\u044f\u0445 \u0448\u0442\u043e\u0440\u043c\u0430, \u0441\u043e\u043e\u0431\u0449\u0438\u043b\u0438 \u0432 \u041c\u0438\u043d\u043e\u0431\u043e\u0440\u043e\u043d\u044b \u0420\u0424: \nhttp://go.tass.ru/jpbDF\u00a0pic.twitter.com/hKGutYvTkf— \u0422\u0410\u0421\u0421 (@\u0422\u0410\u0421\u0421) 1649966053
However, Russia's claims of "stormy" conditions were called into question.
Russian media report the Moskva sank during stormy weather. Here is the weather for the last 2 days in Sevastopol: a spot of rain and winds reaching a terrifying 14km/h.pic.twitter.com/T18TNabDFE— Dr. Ian Garner (@Dr. Ian Garner) 1649967107
The ship had a complement of over 500 sailors.
Ukrainian forces claim to have crippled Russian war ship, Moskva www.youtube.com
NOW WATCH: 'I was afraid of people like you!' Gay Missouri Dem delivers emotional rebuke to GOP colleague over anti-trans bill
Gay Missouri Dem delivers emotional rebuke to GOP colleague over anti-trans bill www.youtube.com
