Russia’s Sunken Warship Dents Its Pride and Capabilities
- Carrier-killing vessel suffered from fire or missile attack
- Anti-aircraft and command-and-control strengths lost
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The loss of the flagship vessel of Russia’s Black Sea Fleet goes beyond wounded pride, robbing the military of important protection and capabilities as the war in Ukraine enters a crucial phase for Moscow.
Ukraine said the ship was struck by two Neptune missiles, a new domestically developed anti-ship system of which just one battery exists. Russia’s Defense Ministry said a blaze caused the warship’s ammunition store to explode, without saying what started the fire.